Sandwich Making Appliance and Method of Making a Sandwich with the Same

ABSTRACT

A small cooking appliance comprises a bottom housing, a top housing, and a cooking assembly. The bottom housing has a top surface that forms a bottom cooking surface of the appliance. The top housing has a bottom surface that forms a top cooking surface of the appliance. The top housing is hingedly attached to the bottom housing and moveable between a closed position and an open position. The cooking assembly is positionable between the top and bottom cooking surfaces when the top housing is in its closed position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/682,458, filed Apr. 9, 2015, which in turn is acontinuation-in-part of and claims priority to U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/580,558, filed Dec. 23, 2014, which in turn is acontinuation-in-part of and claims priority to U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/186,812, filed Feb. 21, 2014, which in turn is acontinuation-in-part of and claims priority to U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/740,594, filed Jan. 14, 2013. The contents of each referenceare incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to appliances, and moreparticularly to small cooking appliances.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Hot sandwiches, particularly breakfast sandwiches, are popular fooditems, whether ordered in a restaurant or made at home. Hot sandwichesmay include multiple different individual filling components layeredbetween two pieces of bread. For example, a hot breakfast sandwich canbe made from English muffins, bagels, pancakes, waffles, or the like.The filling components for hot sandwiches vary greatly. Typical fillingcomponents of a breakfast sandwich could include ham, bacon, Canadianbacon, sausage patties, vegetables, cheese, egg, and the like andvarious combinations thereof

Making hot sandwiches at home, particularly breakfast sandwiches, can bea complicated and time-consuming task. Multiple appliances must be usedto separately prepare the individual components, which are thenassembled into a complete sandwich. For example, a toaster may be usedto toast the English muffin and a microwave may be used to heatpre-cooked ham. A skillet or griddle appliance or the same on a stovetopappliance might be required to cook the egg. The use of multipleappliances causes difficulty coordinating the preparation of theindividual components to ensure that all the individual components aredone and ready at about the same time, thereby resulting in a completesandwich in which all components are properly cooked and at desiredtemperatures. Moreover, the process of cleaning the various appliancesadds additional time, frustration, and complexity to the home cookingprocess.

It has heretofore not been discovered how to create a kitchen appliancethat is capable of preparing a hot sandwich whereby all the componentsare heated, toasted, and/or cooked so that a fully assembled sandwich ispresented to a user. The appliance of the following disclosureaccomplishes the above and other objectives and overcomes at least theabove-described disadvantages of conventional kitchen appliances andmethods of making hot sandwiches.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

A kitchen appliance for preparing, assembling, and warming/cooking a hotsandwich is disclosed herein. In one embodiment of the subjectappliance, the sandwich making appliance comprises a bottom housinghaving a top surface where the top surface forms a bottom cookingsurface of the appliance. The bottom housing has a resistive heatingelement.

A top housing has a bottom surface where the bottom surface forms a topcooking surface of the appliance. The top housing being hingedlyattached to the bottom housing and moveable between a closed positionand an open position. The top housing also has a resistive heatingelement therein. A power cord is connected at a first end to the bottomhousing and at a second end to the top housing. The power cord routespower between the bottom housing and the top housing.

A cooking assembly is selectively positioned between the top and bottomcooking surfaces when the top housing is in its closed position. Thecooking assembly comprises a top cooking assembly portion, a bottomcooking assembly portion, and a cooking plate therebetween. The cookingassembly is conductively heated via at least one of the top cookingsurface and the bottom cooking surface. A top cooking cavity is formedwithin the top cooking assembly portion when the cooking assembly isselectively positioned between the top and bottom cooking surfaces andwhen the top housing is in its closed position. A bottom cooking cavityis formed within the bottom cooking assembly portion when the cookingassembly is selectively positioned between the top and bottom cookingsurfaces.

In addition to the sandwich making appliances, as described above, otherembodiments of the invention are directed to methods for cooking a fooditem using the above-described appliances.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Having thus provided a general description, reference will now be madeto the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale.The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofthe disclosure, will be better understood when read in conjunction withthe appended drawings. It should be understood, however, that thedisclosure is not limited to the precise arrangements andinstrumentalities shown, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a sandwich making appliance, inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2-6 are isometric views of the sandwich making appliance of FIG.1, illustrating various configurations of the appliance.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the sandwich making appliance of FIG. 1,with a portion of the top housing removed to illustrate internalcomponents.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the sandwich making appliance of FIG. 1,with the ring assembly removed.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the ring assembly of the sandwich makingappliance of FIG. 1, removed from the appliance.

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a ring assembly of a sandwich makingappliance, removed from the appliance, in accordance with alternativeembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is an isometric view of a ring assembly of a sandwich makingappliance, removed from the appliance, in accordance with alternativeembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is an isometric view of a ring assembly of a sandwich makingappliance, removed from the appliance, in accordance with alternativeembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 13A-B are isometric views of a sandwich making appliance, inaccordance with alternative embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is an isometric view of a ring assembly of a sandwich makingappliance, removed from the appliance, in accordance with alternativeembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 15A-B are isometric views of a ring assembly of a sandwich makingappliance, removed from the appliance, in accordance with alternativeembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 16A-B are isometric views of a ring assembly of a sandwich makingappliance, removed from the appliance, in accordance with alternativeembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 is an isometric view of a sandwich making appliance, inaccordance with alternative embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 18A-B are isometric views of a sandwich making appliance, inaccordance with alternative embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 19A-C are isometric views of a sandwich making appliance, inaccordance with alternative embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 20A-B are isometric views of a sandwich making appliance, inaccordance with alternative embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 21-26 are isometric views of a sandwich making appliance, inaccordance with alternative embodiments of the present disclosure,illustrating various configurations of the appliance.

FIG. 27 is an isometric view of a top cooking plate, a center ring, anda bottom cooking plate of the sandwich making appliance of FIGS. 21-26,removed from the appliance.

FIG. 28 is an isometric view of a sandwich making appliance, inaccordance with alternative embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 29-30 are isometric views of a sandwich making appliance, inaccordance with alternative embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 31-33 are isometric views of a sandwich making appliance, inaccordance with alternative embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 34 is an isometric view of a sandwich making appliance, inaccordance with alternative embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 35 is an isometric exploded view of the sandwich making applianceof FIG. 34.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenienceonly and is not limiting. The words “lower,” “bottom,” “upper” and “top”designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. Thewords “inwardly,” “outwardly,” “upwardly” and “downwardly” refer todirections toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center ofthe device, and designated parts thereof, in accordance with the presentdisclosure. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms “a,” “an”and “the” are not limited to one element, but instead should be read asmeaning “at least one.” The terminology includes the words noted above,derivatives thereof and words of similar import.

Embodiments of appliance disclosed herein provide a sandwich makingappliance that enables a user to easily and efficiently assemble andcook a sandwich (or any suitable food item) and then easily remove thefully assembled and cooked sandwich from the appliance. Advantageously,the appliance is able to apply heat to cook an individual fillingcomponents that is within (i.e., makes up one of the internal layers of)the sandwich. The appliance decreases the frustration, complexity, andtime of individually assembling such a sandwich. Further, among otherbenefits, the appliance is easy to clean relative to the traditionalapproach of individually cooking, heating, and/or toasting theindividual components of the sandwich.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-6 wherein like numerals indicate like elementsthroughout, there is illustrated a kitchen appliance 10 in accordancewith an embodiment of the present disclosure. Appliance 10 comprises tophousing 12 and bottom housing 14. Top housing 12 is movably attached tobottom housing 14, such that the top housing is movable between a closedor down position (illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4, and 5) and an open or upposition (illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, and 6). In the illustratedembodiment, top housing 12 is hingedly attached to bottom housing 14.However, any suitable movable attachment structure or method may be usedto attach top housing 12 to bottom housing 14, such as pivotal orprismatic. Top housing 12 has a bottom surface that forms a top cookingsurface 16 of the appliance. Bottom housing 14 has a top surface thatforms a bottom cooking surface 18 of the appliance. Top cooking surface16 and bottom cooking surface 18 are typically substantially planar andtypically comprise a conductive metal with a non-stick coating. Inoperation, top surface 16 and bottom surface 18 are heated by one ormore heating elements located, respectively, in the top and bottomhousing (described further below).

Appliance 10 further comprises a ring assembly that is positionedbetween the top and bottom cooking surfaces when the top housing is inthe closed position. The ring assembly of the illustrated embodimentcomprises top ring 20, bottom ring 22, and center cooking plate 24. Inan embodiment illustrated herein, top ring 20 and bottom ring 22 aremovably attached to each other (see FIG. 9). The ring assembly may beselectively movably attached to the bottom housing, such that the ringassembly is movable in its entirety between a closed position (the ringassembly being entirely closed is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4) andan open position (the ring assembly being entirely open is illustratedin FIG. 6). In the illustrated embodiment, the ring assembly (includingtop ring 20 and bottom ring 22) is hingedly attached to bottom housing14. However, any suitable movable attachment structure or method may beused to attach the ring assembly (including top ring 20 and bottom ring22) to bottom housing 14, such as pivotal or prismatic. The ringassembly may be movable independently of the top housing. In analternative embodiment of the disclosure, the ring assembly may sit uponthe bottom cooking surface when in use and be sandwiched between thebottom and top cooking surfaces when the top housing is closed but beotherwise unattached to appliance 10.

In one embodiment, top ring 20 and bottom ring 22 are togetherselectively movably attached to bottom housing 14. This configurationenables top ring 20 to be movable between a closed position (see FIGS.1, 3, 4, and 5) and an open position (illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6).Similarly, bottom ring 22 is movable between a closed position(illustrated in FIGS. 1-5) and an open position (see FIG. 6). The topring may be moveable independently of the top housing and independentlyof the bottom ring, and the bottom ring may be movable independently ofthe top housing and independently of the top ring. In the illustratedembodiments, all of top housing 12, top ring 20, and bottom ring 22 arehingedly attached at a common hinge point 60.

In an alternative embodiment, the top ring and the bottom ring may notbe movably attached to each other but only to the bottom housing. In thealternative embodiment discussed above, in which the ring assembly isnot attached to appliance 10, the top and bottom rings would not bemovably attached to the bottom housing. In such an embodiment, the topand bottom rings may be movably attached to each other, may be pivotablyattached to each other, may be attached to each other is any othersuitable manner, or may be in contact but otherwise not be attached toeach other at all. In such an embodiment in which the top and bottomrings are not attached to each other or to the bottom housing, the topring may be stackable on the bottom ring. Appropriate guides or otherstructure may be present on the top and/or bottom rings to help maintainthe rings in such a stacked configuration.

Center cooking plate 24 is movable between a closed position and an openposition. Center cooking plate's closed position is most broadly definedby a position wherein center cooking plate 24 overlaps the circumferenceof at least one of top ring 20 or bottom ring 22 (see FIG. 2). In theclosed position of center cooking plate 24, when top ring 20 and bottomring 22 are also in their respective closed positions, center cookingplate 24 is positioned between the top and bottom rings 20, 22 (seeFIGS. 1, 3 and 4). The open position of center cooking plate 24 is wherecenter cooking plate 24 does not entirely overlap the circumference ofat least top ring 20 or bottom ring 20 or where some or all of centercooking plate 24 is not positioned between the top and bottom rings 20,22 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). In one embodiment, center cooking plate 24 ispivotably movable between its open position and its closed position.Alternatively, center cooking plate 24 may be slidably movable betweenits open position and its closed position. Advantageously, centercooking plate 24 is movable between its open position and its closedposition while the top and bottom rings are in their respective closedpositions. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, where the top and bottom ringsare in their respective closed positions and the center cooking plate inits open position, center cooking plate 24 is pivotably attached to topring 20 at a pivot point 26. It is possible to pivot center cookingplate 24 about pivot point 26 to center cooking plate's closed positionwithout displacing top or bottom rings 20, 22. Alternatively, centercooking plate 24 may be pivotably attached to bottom ring 22 at a pivotpoint (not shown).

Top and bottom cooking surfaces 16, 18 selectively form, along with thering assembly, top and bottom cooking cavities. The top cooking cavityis formed by the top cooking surface 16, the top ring 20, and the centercooking plate 24 when each are properly positioned (see, e.g., FIGS. 1and 2). For example, the top cooking cavity exists when the top housingand the center cooking plate are in their respective closed positions.The bottom cooking cavity is formed by the bottom cooking surface 18,the bottom ring 22, and the center cooking plate 24 when each areproperly positioned. For example, the bottom cooking cavity exists whenthe bottom ring and the center cooking plate are in their respectiveclosed positions and the center cooking plate is positioned parallel tothe bottom cooking surface (see, e.g., FIGS. 1 and 3).

Appliance 10 may comprise a handle 30 affixed to top housing 12, ahandle 32 affixed to top ring 20, and a handle 34 affixed to bottom ring22. These separate and independent handles enable a user toindependently move the top housing, the top ring, and the bottom ring.Appliance 10 may further comprise a handle 36 affixed to center cookingplate 24 to enable a user to slide or pivot center cooking plate 24relative to the top or bottom rings 20, 22. One or more of the handles30, 32, 34, 36 may have one or more through-holes 38 defined therein toinhibit heat transfer to the portion of the handle that a user wouldgrasp. Handles 30, 32, 34, 36 may also comprise a hollow construction tofurther insulate the handles. Latches (not illustrated) or other typesof locking mechanisms may be included (such as in conjunction with tophousing handle 30) to keep the appliance in a fully closed positionduring cooking.

Appliance 10 comprises display/control panel 40. Display/control panel40 may comprise any desired combination of user input elements (e.g.,buttons, switches, knobs, dials, etc.) to enable a user to controloperation of appliance 10 and/or display elements (e.g., lights,alphanumeric displays, etc.) to provide information to a user. Forexample, display/control panel 40 may comprise a “power” light and a“preheat” light. As another example, display/control panel 40 maycomprise any suitable means for turning the appliance on and off (e.g.,a simple on/off switch) and/or for controlling the cooking time (e.g., atimed on/off switch). Alternatively, on/off switches and the like may beomitted and the appliance may be turned on and off simply by plugging inand unplugging the appliance from a power source. Further,display/control panel 40 may comprise a timer (electromechanical ordigital) that simply times the cooking of the food item but does notcontrol power to the appliance.

The ring assembly of appliance 10 may comprise at least one spacerelement to maintain a desired spacing between the top and bottom rings.The desired spacing corresponds to the thickness of the center cookingplate. The spacing should be large enough to enable the center cookingplate to readily slide or pivot between its open position and its closedposition while the top and bottom rings are in their respective closedpositions and small enough to reduce the likelihood of food items(especially uncooked egg) inadvertently escaping when the center cookingplate is in its closed position. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 4,a spacer element top portion 70 is affixed to top ring 20 and a spacerelement bottom portion 72 is affixed to bottom ring 22. The mountingpositions of spacer element top portion 70 and spacer element bottomportion 72 are selected such that the portions engage when the top andbottom rings are in their closed positions and such that the desiredspacing between the top and bottom rings is maintained when the centercooking plate is in its open position.

The ring assembly of appliance 10 may comprise a closed position stopguide to ensure that, when the center cooking plate is in its closedposition, the center cooking plate properly overlaps a bottom open endof the top ring and a top open end of the bottom ring. Thus, the top andbottom cooking cavities are appropriately defined, and thus thelikelihood of food items, such as uncooked egg or the like,inadvertently escaping when the center cooking plate is in its closedposition is reduced. Spacer element top portion 70 can function as theclosed position stop guide. For example, handle 36 of the center cookingplate 24 could contact spacer element top portion 70 when center cookingplate 24 is in its fully closed position.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the sandwich making appliance of FIG. 1,with a portion of the top housing removed to illustrate internalcomponents. Appliance 10 may comprise one or more heating elements 50 ineither the top housing, the bottom housing, or both. Heating element 50may comprise any known type of heating element, such as a resistiveheating element, that is capable of heating one or more of the topcooking surface and the bottom cooking surface. Heat sink 51 may beinterposed between heating element 50 and the inner surface (i.e., thesurface opposite the cooking surface) of top cooking surface 16. Such aheat sink aids conductive heat transfer between heating element 50 andtop cooking surface 16. In an embodiment of the disclosure in whichheating elements are provided in both the top and bottom housings,similar components would reside in the bottom housing of the appliance(not illustrated).

In an embodiment of the disclosure in which heating elements areprovided in both the top and bottom housings, the top heating elementwill conductively heat the top cooking surface and the bottom heatingelement will conductively heat the bottom cooking surface. When the tophousing is in a closed position, contact is maintained between (i) thebottom cooking surface and the bottom ring, (ii) the bottom ring and thecenter cooking plate, (iii) the center cooking plate and the top ring,and (iv) the top ring and the top cooking surface. As such, conductiveheat transfer occurs from the top cooking surface and/or the bottomcooking surface to the top ring, the bottom ring, and the center cookingplate.

In an embodiment of the disclosure in which heating elements areprovided in both the top and bottom housings, in addition to a powercord that goes from the bottom housing to a wall electrical outlet (notillustrated) to provide electrical power to the appliance, power cord 82routes power from the bottom housing to the top housing to supply thetop heating element.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the sandwich making appliance of FIG. 1,with the ring assembly selectively removed. In this illustratedembodiment, the ring assembly is selectively removably affixed to thebottom housing and thus is removable as a unit (e.g., for cleaning)while the top housing remains movably attached to the bottom housing.Top housing 12 comprises two elongated top struts 84 that projectsubstantially perpendicularly from top cooking surface 16. Similarly,bottom housing 14 comprises two elongated bottom struts 86 that projectsubstantially perpendicularly from bottom cooking surface 18. Pivotpoint 60, about which top housing 12, top ring 20, and bottom ring 22all commonly pivot, is formed where the distal ends of top struts 84 andbottom struts 86 meet or overlap. The elongated structure of the variousstruts enable the ring assembly to fit between the top and bottomhousings and enables the top cooking surface to be substantiallyparallel to the bottom cooking surface when the top housing is in itsclosed position. A first hinge pin (not labeled) or similar mechanismhingedly joins the top and bottom struts on one side, and a second hingepin (not labeled) or similar mechanism hingedly joins the top and bottomstruts on the opposing side.

Top ring 20 and bottom ring 22 are hingedly attached to each other viahinge pin 76. As illustrated in FIG. 8, top struts 84 have opposingchannels 62 for receiving opposing ends of hinge pin 76 therebetweenwhen the ring assembly is selectively attached to appliance 10. Hingepin 76 has opposing ends, each opposing end having a different diameter(see FIG. 9). The opposing channels each have a different width (thedimension described herein as the width of the channel is indicated bythe arrows in the inset of FIG. 8) that correspond to one of thedifferent diameters of the opposing ends of hinge pin 76. The differentdiameters of the opposing ends of hinge pin 76 and the correspondingdifferent widths of opposing channels 62 would ensure that the ringassembly can only be attached to appliance 10 in one particularorientation, thereby ensuring the correct top/bottom orientation of thering assembly within appliance 10.

With reference to the illustrated inset of FIG. 8, there is illustrateda close-up view of the distal end of one top strut 84, in theorientation strut 84 would be in when top housing 12 is in its closedposition. As further illustrated in the inset of FIG. 8, channel 62 isangled upward when top housing 12 is in its closed position. Althoughnot illustrated, the opposing channel has the same angle. When the ringassembly is attached to appliance 10 and top housing is in its closedposition, the ends of hinge pin 76 are positioned in the upper ends ofthe respective channels. The ring assembly would be sandwiched betweenthe upper and lower housings 12, 14. The ring assembly could only beremoved by applying a force along a plane parallel to the top or bottomcooking surfaces 16, 18. Accordingly, if a user attempts to pull thering assembly out of appliance 10 while top housing 12 is in its closedposition (which may be while the food item is cooking), the angle ofchannels 62 would obstruct such movement such that that the ringassembly cannot be removed from the hinge point when the top housing isin its closed position.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the ring assembly only as removed from appliance10, such as for cleaning. Top ring 20 and bottom ring 22 are open 180degrees apart and center cooking plate 24 is pivoted open. The ringassembly may further comprise an open position stop guide 78, which ispart of the structure that supports pivot point 26. Open position stopguide 78 defines and limits how far center cooking plate 24 can pivot.Specifically, open position stop guide 78 engages center cooking plate24 to create a rotation limit. A portion of center cooking plate 24contacts open position stop guide 78 (as illustrated in FIG. 9) suchthat the center cooking plate cannot pivot any further out. The size andshape of center cooking plate 24, the location of the pivot point, andthe limit set by open position stop guide 78 all combine to ensure that,when center cooking plate 24 is in its open position, at least a portionof center cooking plate 24 remains between top and bottom rings 20, 22when the rings are in their closed positions in appliance 10. Thisoverlap, which is illustrated in FIG. 9 at 80, further helps to maintainthe desired spacing between top and bottom rings 20, 22 or otherwisefacilitates the ability to readily pivot center cooking plate 24 fromits open position to its closed position while top and bottom rings 20,22 are in their respective closed positions.

While top cooking surface 16 and bottom cooking surface 18 are describedabove as typically substantially planar, either or both of top cookingsurface 16 and bottom cooking surface 18 may comprise one or moreridges, rims, bumps, or any other suitable projections to engage,respectively, with the bottom edge of bottom ring 22 and/or the top edgeof top ring 20 to help restrict side-to-side or other movement of thering assembly, especially during opening and closing of center cookingplate 24. Alternatively, either or both of top cooking surface 16 andbottom cooking surface 18 may comprise one or more channels, dimples, orany other suitable indentations to engage, respectively, with one ormore corresponding ridges, rims, bumps, or other suitable projection(s)on bottom ring 22 and/or top ring 20. Such structure for engagementbetween the ring assembly and top and bottom cooking surfaces 16, 18 maybe particularly desirable in an embodiment in which, as described above,the ring assembly is not attached to appliance 10 but merely rests onlower cooking surface 18. Further, either or both of top cooking surface16 and bottom cooking surface 18 may be ridged or ribbed rather thanplanar.

The embodiments of the appliance illustrated herein has a generallyround horizontal cross-sectional shape, which is well suited forpreparing sandwiches made using round bread, such as English muffins andbagels. However, alternative embodiments of the appliance may have anyother desirable horizontal cross-sectional shape. For example, onealternative embodiment of the appliance may have a generally squarehorizontal cross-sectional shape. Another alternative embodiment of theappliance may have a horizontal cross-sectional shape that resembles astandard slice of bread (i.e., three straight sides and one convexside).

A method for cooking a food item comprising a plurality of layers willnow be described with reference to FIGS. 1-6. Typically, several minutesprior to beginning to cook the food item, appliance 10 is preheated. Thepreheating may occur with appliance 10 in the fully closed position, asillustrated in FIG. 1. Top and bottom cooking surfaces 16, 18 areheated, such as by heat element 50 of FIG. 7. When appliance 10 is inthe fully closed position, heated top surface 16 and heated bottomsurface 18 will transfer heat to top and bottom rings 20, 22,respectively, by way of conductive heat transfer. Top and bottom rings20, 22 together heat the movable cooking plate 24 by way of conductiveheat transfer. Appliance 10 may comprise an indicator light to indicatewhen the appliance has reached the desired preheat temperature. Such anindication may be based on an actual measured temperature within theappliance or may simply be time-based.

When the appliance is preheated, top housing 12 and top ring 20 areraised to their open positions and bottom ring 22 is kept closed, asillustrated in FIG. 2. A bottom layer of the food item is placed intobottom ring 22 such that the bottom layer sits on bottom cooking surface18. Such a bottom layer may be, for example, one half of an Englishmuffin. One or more additional layers may be placed on top of the bottomfood layer. After the desired layers are placed into the bottom ring 22,top ring 20 (with the attached center cooking plate) is lowered into itsclosed position, as illustrated in FIG. 3. With the center cooking platein its closed position, the bottom cooking cavity is now defined bybottom cooking surface 18, the bottom ring 22, and center cooking plate24. Alternatively, where center cooking plate 24 is pivotally attachedto bottom ring 22, the bottom cavity might be defined by rotating centercooking plate 24 to a closed position independently of lowering top ring20.

Once center cooking plate 24 is in the closed position and top ring 20is lowered, additional food layers may then be placed into top ring 20such that the first additional food layer sits directly on the centercooking plate. Advantageously, because the center cooking plate isheated, this food layer may comprise a food item that requires cookingor heating, although such a food layer is not required. For example, anuncooked egg may be placed on center cooking plate 24. The heated centercooking plate can appropriately cook or heat the egg to food safetemperatures. One or more additional layers of food items may then beplaced on top of the food layer that sits directly on center cookingplate 24. The top layer (i.e., the last layer to be placed into the topring) may be, for example, the other half of the English muffin.

After all of the desired layers are placed into top ring 20, top housing12 is lowered into its closed position, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Withtop housing 12 in its closed position, the top cooking cavity is nowcompletely defined by top cooking surface 16, top ring 12, and centercooking plate 24. Appliance 10 is maintained in this fully closedposition for a period of time to either toast the top or bottom layersor, if necessary, to enable any internal food item to be heated/cooked.The period of time may be predetermined, and the predetermination may bebased on any one or more of several factors (e.g., the type of fooditem, the types and/or numbers of layers, the desired end temperature,user preferences, etc.). The appliance may track the cooking time andnotify a user when the cooking time has elapsed, such as via a timer.Alternatively, a user may manually track the elapsed time from theclosing of top housing 12.

After sufficient time has elapsed, center cooking plate 24 is moved toits open position in which the movable cooking plate 24 is no longerseparating the top cooking cavity from the bottom cooking cavity, asillustrated in FIG. 5. Moving center cooking plate 24 from its closedposition to its open position causes the layers in the top cookingcavity to separate from center cooking plate 24 such that they stackonto any food items in the bottom cooking cavity. Accordingly, the topfood layers are assembled onto the food layers positioned in the bottomcooking cavity. Thus, a fully cooked sandwich is now assembled. Tophousing 12, top ring 20, and bottom ring 22 are now raised into theirrespective open/upper positions, as illustrated in FIG. 6, such that theassembled sandwich may be readily removed from appliance 10.

Referring now to FIG. 10, an isometric view of a ring assembly of asandwich making appliance is illustrated in accordance with alternativeembodiments of the present disclosure. The ring assembly 100 of FIG. 10is shown removed from its sandwich making appliance for clarity. Thesandwich making appliance that would comprise ring assembly 100 of FIG.10 is similar to the sandwich making appliance of FIGS. 1-9 in that itcomprises a bottom housing and a top housing. The bottom housing has atop surface that forms a bottom cooking surface of the appliance. Thetop housing has a bottom surface that forms a top cooking surface of theappliance. The top housing is movably attached to the bottom housing.The top housing is moveable between a closed position and an openposition. Ring assembly 100 is positioned between the top and bottomcooking surfaces when the top housing is in its closed position.

Ring assembly 100 of FIG. 10 is similar to the ring assembly of FIGS.1-9. However, the ring assembly of FIG. 10 has a center cooking platethat is removable from the ring assembly. Ring assembly 100 comprisestop ring 102, bottom ring 104, and center cooking plate 106. Top ring102 and bottom ring 104 are together selectively movably attached to thebottom housing (not illustrated) of the cooking appliance. Thisconfiguration enables top ring 102 to be movable between a closedposition and an open position. Similarly, bottom ring 104 is movablebetween a closed position and an open position. The top ring may bemoveable independently of the top housing and independently of thebottom ring, and the bottom ring may be movable independently of the tophousing and independently of the top ring.

Center cooking plate 106 is adapted to be removably inserted between topring 102 and bottom ring 104. Center cooking plate 106 may be removablyinserted between top ring 102 and bottom ring 104 while the top andbottom rings are in their respective closed positions. When inserted,center cooking plate 106 is positioned such that center cooking plate106 overlaps the circumference of at least one of top ring 102 or bottomring 104. Center cooking plate 106 defines top and bottom cookingcavities when center cooking plate 104 is inserted between top ring 102and bottom ring 104. The top cooking cavity is formed by the top cookingsurface (not illustrated) of the appliance, top ring 102, and centercooking plate 106 when the top housing is in its closed position andwhen center cooking plate 106 is inserted between top ring 102 andbottom ring 104. The bottom cooking cavity is formed by the bottomcooking surface (not illustrated) of the appliance, bottom ring 104, andcenter cooking plate 106 when the top housing is in its closed positionand when center cooking plate 106 is inserted between top ring 102 andbottom ring 104.

Ring assembly 100 further comprises one or more stop guides 108. Centercooking plate 106 engages stop guides 108 when center cooking plate 106is inserted between top ring 102 and bottom ring 104. When centercooking plate 106 engages both stop guides 108, center cooking plate 106is ensured to be in its correct inserted position.

Ring assembly 100 further comprises one or more spacer elements 116 tomaintain a desired spacing between the top and bottom rings when the topand bottom rings are in their respective closed positions. In ringassembly 100, each spacer element 116 engages with a respective one ofstop guides 108 when the top and bottom rings are in their respectiveclosed positions.

Ring assembly 100 further comprises handles 110 and 112 affixed,respectively, to each of top ring 102 and bottom ring 104 to enable auser to independently move the top and bottom rings. Ring assembly 100further comprises handle 114 affixed to center cooking plate 106 toenable a user to insert and remove center cooking plate 106.

The operation of an appliance with ring assembly 100 is similar to thatof the appliance of FIGS. 1-9. A bottom layer of a food item is placedinto bottom ring 104 such that the bottom layer sits on the bottomcooking surface. Such a bottom layer may be, for example, one half of anEnglish muffin. One or more additional layers may be placed on top ofthe bottom food layer. After the desired layers are placed into thebottom ring 104, top ring 102 is lowered into its closed position andcenter cooking plate 106 is inserted into the ring assembly. Additionalfood layers may then be placed into top ring 102 such that the firstadditional food layer (such as an uncooked egg) sits directly on centercooking plate 106. One or more additional layers of food items may thenbe placed on top of the food layer that sits directly on center cookingplate 106. The top layer (i.e., the last layer to be placed into the topring) may be, for example, the other half of the English muffin.

After all of the desired layers are placed into top ring 102, the tophousing is lowered into its closed position. The appliance is maintainedin this fully closed position for a period of time to either toast thetop or bottom layers or, if necessary, to enable any internal food itemto be heated/cooked. After sufficient time has elapsed, center cookingplate 106 is removed such that it is no longer separating the topcooking cavity from the bottom cooking cavity. Removing center cookingplate 106 from ring assembly 100 causes the layers in the top cookingcavity to separate from center cooking plate 106 such that they stackonto any food items in the bottom cooking cavity. Accordingly, the topfood layers are assembled onto the food layers positioned in the bottomcooking cavity. Thus, a fully cooked sandwich is now assembled. Tophousing, top ring 102, and bottom ring 104 are now raised into theirrespective open/upper positions, such that the assembled sandwich may bereadily removed from the appliance.

Referring now to FIG. 11, an isometric view of a ring assembly of asandwich making appliance is illustrated in accordance with alternativeembodiments of the present disclosure. The ring assembly 160 of FIG. 11is shown removed from its sandwich making appliance for clarity. Thesandwich making appliance that would comprise ring assembly 160 of FIG.11 is similar to the sandwich making appliance of FIGS. 1-9 in that itcomprises a bottom housing and a top housing. The bottom housing has atop surface that forms a bottom cooking surface of the appliance. Thetop housing has a bottom surface that forms a top cooking surface of theappliance. The top housing is movably attached to the bottom housing.The top housing is moveable between a closed position and an openposition. Ring assembly 160 is positioned between the top and bottomcooking surfaces when the top housing is in its closed position.

Ring assembly 160 of FIG. 11 is similar to the ring assembly of FIGS.1-9. However, the ring assembly of FIG. 11 has a center cooking platethat is split into two independently movable sections. Ring assembly 160comprises top ring 162, bottom ring 164, and center cooking plate 166.Top ring 162 and bottom ring 164 are together selectively movablyattached to the bottom housing (not illustrated) of the cookingappliance. This configuration enables top ring 162 to be movable betweena closed position and an open position. Similarly, bottom ring 164 ismovable between a closed position and an open position. The top ring maybe moveable independently of the top housing and independently of thebottom ring, and the bottom ring may be movable independently of the tophousing and independently of the top ring.

Center cooking plate 166 comprises left portion 172 and right portion168 that are movable in relation to each other. Left portion 172 andright portion 168 of center cooking plate 166 are pivotably movable inrelation to each other. Left portion 172 and right portion 168 aremovable between a closed position in which the left and right portionsabut each other and an open position in which the left and rightportions are a maximum distance apart. FIG. 11 illustrates a partiallyopen position. The left and right portions of the center cooking plateare moveable while the top and bottom rings are in their respectiveclosed positions.

Center cooking plate 166 defines top and bottom cooking cavities whenleft portion 172 and right portion 168 of center cooking plate 166 arein their closed position. The top cooking cavity is formed by the topcooking surface (not illustrated) of the appliance, top ring 162, andcenter cooking plate 166 when the top housing is in its closed positionand when left portion 172 and right portion 168 of center cooking plate166 are in their closed position. The bottom cooking cavity is formed bythe bottom cooking surface (not illustrated) of the appliance, bottomring 164, and center cooking plate 166 when the top housing is in itsclosed position and when left portion 172 and right portion 168 ofcenter cooking plate 166 are in their closed position. Regardless ofwhat position left portion 172 and right portion 168 are in, at least aportion of left portion 172 and/or right portion 168 will typicallyremain between the top and bottom rings while the top and bottom ringsare in their respective closed positions to ensure proper spacingbetween top ring 162 and bottom ring 164.

Ring assembly 160 further comprises handles 176 and 178 affixed,respectively, to each of top ring 162 and bottom ring 164 to enable auser to independently move the top and bottom rings. Ring assembly 160further comprises left handle 174 and right handle 170 affixed,respectively, to left portion 172 and right portion 168 of centercooking plate 166 to enable a user to independently move left portion172 and right portion 168.

The operation of an appliance with ring assembly 160 is similar to thatof the appliance of FIGS. 1-9. A bottom layer of a food item is placedinto bottom ring 164 such that the bottom layer sits on the bottomcooking surface. Such a bottom layer may be, for example, one half of anEnglish muffin. One or more additional layers may be placed on top ofthe bottom food layer. After the desired layers are placed into thebottom ring 164, top ring 162 is lowered into its closed position andleft portion 172 and right portion 168 of center cooking plate 166 aremoved together (if not already). Additional food layers may then beplaced into top ring 162 such that the first additional food layer (suchas an uncooked egg) sits directly on center cooking plate 166. One ormore additional layers of food items may then be placed on top of thefood layer that sits directly on center cooking plate 166. The top layer(i.e., the last layer to be placed into the top ring) may be, forexample, the other half of the English muffin.

After all of the desired layers are placed into top ring 162, the tophousing is lowered into its closed position. The appliance is maintainedin this fully closed position for a period of time to either toast thetop or bottom layers or, if necessary, to enable any internal food itemto be heated/cooked. After sufficient time has elapsed, left portion 172and right portion 168 of center cooking plate 166 are moved apart suchthat center cooking plate 166 is no longer separating the top cookingcavity from the bottom cooking cavity. Moving left portion 172 and rightportion 168 apart causes the layers in the top cooking cavity toseparate from center cooking plate 166 such that they stack onto anyfood items in the bottom cooking cavity. Accordingly, the top foodlayers are assembled onto the food layers positioned in the bottomcooking cavity. Thus, a fully cooked sandwich is now assembled. Tophousing, top ring 162, and bottom ring 164 are now raised into theirrespective open/upper positions, such that the assembled sandwich may bereadily removed from the appliance.

Referring now to FIG. 12, an isometric view of a ring assembly of asandwich making appliance is illustrated in accordance with alternativeembodiments of the present disclosure. The ring assembly 120 of FIG. 11is shown removed from its sandwich making appliance for clarity. Thesandwich making appliance that would comprise ring assembly 120 of FIG.12 is similar to the sandwich making appliance of FIGS. 1-9 in that itcomprises a bottom housing and a top housing. The bottom housing has atop surface that forms a bottom cooking surface of the appliance. Thetop housing has a bottom surface that forms a top cooking surface of theappliance. The top housing is movably attached to the bottom housing.The top housing is moveable between a closed position and an openposition. Ring assembly 120 is positioned between the top and bottomcooking surfaces when the top housing is in its closed position.

Ring assembly 120 of FIG. 12 is quite different from the ring assemblyof FIGS. 1-9. Ring assembly 120 comprises a unitary left ring assemblyportion 124 and a unitary right ring assembly portion 122. The left ringassembly portion 124 comprises a top portion 134, a bottom portion 138,and a center cooking plate portion 136 therebetween. Top portion 134 andbottom portion 138 each comprise a semi-circular portion of a ring.Center cooking plate portion 136 comprises a semi-circular portion of aplanar plate. Top portion 134, bottom portion 138, center cooking plateportion 136 are unitary and therefore are movable in unison.

The right ring assembly portion 122 comprises a top portion 126, abottom portion 130, and a center cooking plate portion 128 therebetween.Top portion 126 and bottom portion 130 each comprise a semi-circularportion of a ring. Center cooking plate portion 128 comprises asemi-circular portion of a planar plate. Top portion 126, bottom portion130, center cooking plate portion 128 are unitary and therefore aremovable in unison.

Left ring assembly portion 124 and right ring assembly portion 122 aremovable in relation to each other and to the top and bottom housings.Left ring assembly portion 124 and right ring assembly portion 122 arepivotably affixed to each other at pivot point 142, such that left ringassembly portion 124 and right ring assembly portion 122 are pivotablymovable toward each other and away from each other.

Left ring assembly portion 124 and right ring assembly portion 122 aremovable between a closed position in which the left and right assemblyportions abut each other and an open position in which the left andright assembly portions are a maximum distance apart. FIG. 12illustrates a partially open position. The left and right assemblyportions are moveable while the top housing is in its closed position.When the left and right assembly portions abut each other, the topportion 134 of the left ring assembly portion 124 and the top portion126 of the right ring assembly portion 122 together form a top ring.Similarly, when the left and right assembly portions abut each other,the bottom portion 138 of the left ring assembly portion 124 and thebottom portion 130 of the right ring assembly portion 122 together forma bottom ring. Further, when the left and right assembly portions abuteach other, the two center cooking plate portions 136, 128 together forma center cooking plate.

A top cooking cavity is formed by the top cooking surface, the topportion 134 of the left ring assembly portion 124, the top portion 126of the right ring assembly portion 122, and the two center cooking plateportions 136, 128, when the left ring assembly portion 124 and rightring assembly portion 122 are in the closed position. A bottom cookingcavity is formed by the bottom cooking surface, the bottom portion 138of the left ring assembly portion 124, the bottom portion 130 of theright ring assembly portion 122, and the two center cooking plateportions 136, 128, when the left ring assembly portion 124 and rightring assembly portion 122 are in the closed position.

Ring assembly 120 further comprises handles 140 and 132 affixed,respectively, to each of left ring assembly portion 124 and right ringassembly portion 122 to enable a user to independently move the left andright ring assembly portions.

The operation of an appliance with ring assembly 120 is a bit differentthan that of the appliance of FIGS. 1-9. A bottom layer of a food itemis placed onto the bottom cooking surface. Such a bottom layer may be,for example, one half of an English muffin. One or more additionallayers may be placed on top of the bottom food layer. After the desiredlayers are placed onto the bottom cooking surface, left ring assemblyportion 124 and right ring assembly portion 122 are moved into a closedposition abutting each other, thereby forming the bottom and top ringsand enclosing the food layers on the bottom cooking surface into thebottom cooking cavity. An additional food layer may then be placed ontothe abutting two center cooking plate portions 136, 128. One or moreadditional layers of food items may then be placed on top of the foodlayer that sits directly on the abutting two center cooking plateportions 136, 128. The top layer (i.e., the last layer to be placed intothe top ring) may be, for example, the other half of the English muffin.

After all of the desired layers are placed into top ring, the tophousing is lowered into its closed position. The appliance is maintainedin this fully closed position for a period of time to either toast thetop or bottom layers or, if necessary, to enable any internal food itemto be heated/cooked. After sufficient time has elapsed, left ringassembly portion 124 and right ring assembly portion 122 are movedapart. Moving left ring assembly portion 124 and right ring assemblyportion 122 apart causes the layers in the top cooking cavity toseparate from the center cooking plate such that they stack onto anyfood items in the bottom cooking cavity. Accordingly, the top foodlayers are assembled onto the food layers positioned in the bottomcooking cavity. Thus, a fully cooked sandwich is now assembled.

Referring now to FIGS. 13A-B, in which are isometric views of a sandwichmaking appliance are illustrated in accordance with alternativeembodiments of the present disclosure. The sandwich making appliance ofFIGS. 13A-B comprises a bottom housing 328 and a top housing 326. Bottomhousing 328 has a top surface (not labeled) that forms a bottom cookingsurface of the appliance. Top housing 326 has a bottom surface (notlabeled) that forms a top cooking surface of the appliance. Top housing326 is movably attached to bottom housing 328. The top housing ismoveable between a closed position and an open position. Ring assembly320 is positioned between the top and bottom cooking surfaces when thetop housing is in its closed position.

Ring assembly 320 of FIGS. 13A-B is similar to ring assembly 120 of FIG.12. Ring assembly 320 comprises a unitary left ring assembly portion 324and a unitary right ring assembly portion 322. As in ring assembly 120of FIG. 12, each of left ring assembly portion 324 and right ringassembly 322 comprises a top portion, a bottom portion, and a centercooking plate portion therebetween. The top portion and the bottomportion each comprise a semi-circular portion of a ring. The centercooking plate portion comprises a semi-circular portion of a planarplate. The top portion, the bottom portion, and the center cooking plateportion of each of left ring assembly portion 324 and right ringassembly portion 322 are unitary and therefore are movable in unison.Left ring assembly portion 124 and right ring assembly portion 122 aremovable in relation to each other and to the top and bottom housings.

Unlike ring assembly 120 of FIG. 12, left ring assembly portion 324 andright ring assembly 322 of ring assembly 320 are not pivotably movable.Rather, left ring assembly portion 324 and right ring assembly portion322 of ring assembly 320 are each affixed to a rack and pinion mechanismsuch that left ring assembly portion 324 and right ring assembly portion322 are linearly movable toward each other and away from each other. Therack and pinion gear arrangement shown in FIGS. 13A-B cause left ringassembly portion 324 and right ring assembly portion 322 to move inunison (either toward each other or away from each other). Left ringassembly portion 324 is affixed on opposing sides to a left front rackgear 334 a and a left rear rack gear 334 b. Similarly, right ringassembly portion 322 is affixed on opposing sides to a right front rackgear 336 a and a right rear rack gear 336 b. Left front rack gear 334 aand right front rack gear 336 a both engage with front pinion gear (notvisible in FIGS. 13A-B) mounted on front pinion gear support 330 a. Leftrear rack gear 334 b and right rear rack gear 336 b both engage withrear pinion gear 332 mounted on rear pinion gear support 330 b.

The operation of an appliance with ring assembly 320 is similar to thatof an appliance with ring assembly 120 of FIG. 12. A bottom layer of afood item is placed onto the bottom cooking surface. Such a bottom layermay be, for example, one half of an English muffin. One or moreadditional layers may be placed on top of the bottom food layer. Afterthe desired layers are placed onto the bottom cooking surface, left ringassembly portion 324 and right ring assembly portion 322 are moved intoa closed position abutting each other, thereby forming the bottom andtop rings and enclosing the food layers on the bottom cooking surfaceinto the bottom cooking cavity. An additional food layer may then beplaced onto the abutting two center cooking plate portions. One or moreadditional layers of food items may then be placed on top of the foodlayer that sits directly on the abutting two center cooking plateportions. The top layer (i.e., the last layer to be placed into the topring) may be, for example, the other half of the English muffin.

After all of the desired layers are placed into top ring, the tophousing is lowered into its closed position. The appliance is maintainedin this fully closed position for a period of time to either toast thetop or bottom layers or, if necessary, to enable any internal food itemto be heated/cooked. After sufficient time has elapsed, left ringassembly portion 324 and right ring assembly portion 322 are movedapart. Moving left ring assembly portion 324 and right ring assemblyportion 322 apart causes the layers in the top cooking cavity toseparate from the center cooking plate such that they stack onto anyfood items in the bottom cooking cavity. Accordingly, the top foodlayers are assembled onto the food layers positioned in the bottomcooking cavity. Thus, a fully cooked sandwich is now assembled.

In embodiments of the disclosure described above, one or more additionallayers of food items may then be placed on top of the food layer thathas been placed directly on the center cooking plate. The food layerthat has been placed directly on the center cooking plate is often anuncooked egg. A user may not desire to place a food layer directly ontop of an uncooked egg, especially if the food layer to be placed on topof the uncooked egg is a bread item (e.g., the top half of an Englishmuffin). Such a bread item placed directly on top of an uncooked egg mayabsorb some of the uncooked egg prior to cooking, which may cause thecooked sandwich to have undesirable properties (e.g., texture). For thisreason, it may be desirable to elevate one or more food layers (such asa bread item) to keep the elevated item(s) physically separated from theitem below until the cooking is complete and the sandwich is ready to beassembled. The ring assemblies and/or sandwich making appliances ofFIGS. 14-19 comprise a food item supporting/elevating mechanism thatselectively supports a first food item above a second food item when thesecond food item is in the top cooking cavity.

Referring now to FIG. 14, an isometric view of a ring assembly of asandwich making appliance is illustrated in accordance with alternativeembodiments of the present disclosure. The ring assembly 200 of FIG. 14is shown removed from its sandwich making appliance for clarity. Thesandwich making appliance that would comprise ring assembly 200 of FIG.14 is similar to the sandwich making appliance of FIGS. 1-9 in that itcomprises a bottom housing and a top housing. The bottom housing has atop surface that forms a bottom cooking surface of the appliance. Thetop housing has a bottom surface that forms a top cooking surface of theappliance. The top housing is movably attached to the bottom housing.The top housing is moveable between a closed position and an openposition. Ring assembly 200 is positioned between the top and bottomcooking surfaces when the top housing is in its closed position.

Ring assembly 200 of FIG. 14 is similar to the ring assembly of FIGS.1-9. However, the ring assembly of FIG. 14 has a food itemsupporting/elevating mechanism 214 that selectively supports a firstfood item above a second food item when the second food item is in thetop cooking cavity. Ring assembly 200 comprises top ring 202, bottomring 206, and center cooking plate 204. Top ring 202 and bottom ring 206are together selectively movably attached to the bottom housing (notillustrated) of the cooking appliance. This configuration enables topring 202 to be movable between a closed position and an open position.Similarly, bottom ring 206 is movable between a closed position and anopen position. The top ring may be moveable independently of the tophousing and independently of the bottom ring, and the bottom ring may bemovable independently of the top housing and independently of the topring.

Center cooking plate 204 is pivotably movable between a closed positionand an open position. In the closed position of center cooking plate204, when top ring 202 and bottom ring 206 are also in their respectiveclosed positions, center cooking plate 204 is positioned between the topand bottom rings 202, 206. The open position of center cooking plate 204is where center cooking plate 204 does not entirely overlap thecircumference of at least top ring 202 or bottom ring 206 or where someor all of center cooking plate 204 is not positioned between the top andbottom rings 202, 206. Center cooking plate 204 is movable between itsopen position and its closed position while the top and bottom rings arein their respective closed positions. Center cooking plate 204 ispivotably attached to top ring 202 at a pivot point (not visible in FIG.14). It is possible to pivot center cooking plate 204 about the pivotpoint to center cooking plate's closed position without displacing topor bottom rings 202, 206

Center cooking plate 204 defines top and bottom cooking cavities whentop ring 202, bottom ring 206, and center cooking plate 204 are all intheir respective closed positions, as illustrated in FIG. 14. The topcooking cavity is formed by the top cooking surface (not illustrated) ofthe appliance, top ring 202, and center cooking plate 204 when the tophousing, top ring 202, and center cooking plate 204 are in theirrespective closed positions. The bottom cooking cavity is formed by thebottom cooking surface (not illustrated) of the appliance, bottom ring206, and center cooking plate 204 when the top housing, bottom ring 204,and center cooking plate 204 are in their respective closed positions.

Food item supporting/elevating mechanism 214 selectively supports afirst food item (such as a bread item) above a second food item (such asan egg) when the second food item is in the top cooking cavity. Fooditem supporting/elevating mechanism 214 comprises two elongated parallelarms 216 slidably protruding through corresponding ones of openings 218defined in the wall of top ring 202. A handle 220 is affixed to arms 216to enable a user to slide arms 216 between a closed position in whichthe distal ends of arms 216 (i.e., the ends opposite handle 220) contactor nearly contact the opposing side wall of top ring 202 and an openposition in which the distal ends of arms 216 are at or near openings218 (in an embodiment in which food item supporting/elevating mechanism214 is not removable from ring assembly 200) or are removed entirelyfrom openings 218 (in an embodiment in which food itemsupporting/elevating mechanism 214 is selectively removable from ringassembly 200). In an embodiment in which food item supporting/elevatingmechanism 214 is not removable from ring assembly 200, a retentionmechanism may be affixed to one or both distal ends of arms 216 toprevent food item supporting/elevating mechanism 214 from being removedfrom ring assembly 200. Food item supporting/elevating mechanism 214 isillustrated in FIG. 14 having two arms 216 each having a circularcross-sectional shape. In alternative embodiments of the disclosure, thefood item supporting/elevating mechanism may have many differentstructures and shapes. For example, the food item supporting/elevatingmechanism may comprise more or fewer than two arms, and the arms mayhave a different cross-sectional shape (e.g., square). In anotherexample, the food item supporting/elevating mechanism may comprise asingle, elongated planar arm having a rectangular cross-sectional shape.

Ring assembly 200 further comprises handles 208 and 210 affixed,respectively, to each of top ring 202 and bottom ring 206 to enable auser to independently move the top and bottom rings. Ring assembly 200further comprises handle 212 affixed center cooking plate 204 to enablea user to pivotably move center cooking plate 204.

The operation of an appliance with ring assembly 200 is similar to thatof the appliance of FIGS. 1-9. A bottom layer of a food item is placedinto bottom ring 206 such that the bottom layer sits on the bottomcooking surface. Such a bottom layer may be, for example, one half of anEnglish muffin. One or more additional layers may be placed on top ofthe bottom food layer. After the desired layers are placed into thebottom ring 206, top ring 202 is lowered into its closed position andcenter cooking plate 204 is pivoted into its closed position (if notalready in that position). Additional food layers may then be placedinto top ring 202 such that the first additional food layer (such as anuncooked egg) sits directly on center cooking plate 204. One or moreadditional layers of food items may then be placed on top of the foodlayer that sits directly on center cooking plate 204. Food itemsupporting/elevating mechanism 214 is moved into its closed position,and the top layer (i.e., the last layer to be placed into the top ring,which may be, for example, the other half of the English muffin) isplaced onto arms 216.

After all of the desired layers are placed into top ring 202, the tophousing is lowered into its closed position. The appliance is maintainedin this fully closed position for a period of time to either toast thetop or bottom layers or, if necessary, to enable any internal food itemto be heated/cooked. After sufficient time has elapsed, center cookingplate 204 is pivoted to its open position such that center cooking plate204 is no longer separating the top cooking cavity from the bottomcooking cavity, thereby causing the layers in the top cooking cavity toseparate from center cooking plate 204 such that they stack onto anyfood items in the bottom cooking cavity. Food item supporting/elevatingmechanism 214 is moved into its open position such that the top foodlayer drops onto the food layer immediately below. Accordingly, the topfood layers are assembled onto the food layers positioned in the bottomcooking cavity. Thus, a fully cooked sandwich is now assembled. Tophousing, top ring 202, and bottom ring 206 are now raised into theirrespective open/upper positions, such that the assembled sandwich may bereadily removed from the appliance.

Referring now to FIGS. 15A-B, isometric views of a ring assembly of asandwich making appliance are illustrated, in accordance withalternative embodiments of the present disclosure. The ring assembly 240of FIGS. 15A-B is shown removed from its sandwich making appliance forclarity. FIG. 15A illustrates ring assembly 240 in a disassembled state,while FIG. 15B illustrates ring assembly 240 in an assembled state. Thesandwich making appliance that would comprise ring assembly 240 of FIGS.15A-B is similar to the sandwich making appliance of FIGS. 1-9 in thatit comprises a bottom housing and a top housing. The bottom housing hasa top surface that forms a bottom cooking surface of the appliance. Thetop housing has a bottom surface that forms a top cooking surface of theappliance. The top housing is movably attached to the bottom housing.The top housing is moveable between a closed position and an openposition. Ring assembly 240 is positioned between the top and bottomcooking surfaces when the top housing is in its closed position.

Ring assembly 240 of FIGS. 15A-B is similar to the ring assembly ofFIGS. 1-9. However, the ring assembly 240 of FIGS. 15A-B has a food itemsupporting/elevating mechanism that selectively supports a first fooditem above a second food item when the second food item is in the topcooking cavity. Ring assembly 240 comprises top ring 242, bottom ring244, and center cooking plate 246. Top ring 242 and bottom ring 244 aretogether selectively movably attached to the bottom housing (notillustrated) of the cooking appliance. This configuration enables topring 242 to be movable between a closed position and an open position.Similarly, bottom ring 244 is movable between a closed position and anopen position. The top ring may be moveable independently of the tophousing and independently of the bottom ring, and the bottom ring may bemovable independently of the top housing and independently of the topring.

Center cooking plate 246 is pivotably movable between a closed positionand an open position. In the closed position of center cooking plate246, when top ring 242 and bottom ring 244 are also in their respectiveclosed positions, center cooking plate 246 is positioned between the topand bottom rings 242, 244. The open position of center cooking plate 246is where center cooking plate 246 does not entirely overlap thecircumference of at least top ring 242 or bottom ring 244 or where someor all of center cooking plate 246 is not positioned between the top andbottom rings 242, 244. Center cooking plate 246 is movable between itsopen position and its closed position while the top and bottom rings arein their respective closed positions. Center cooking plate 246 ispivotably attached to top ring 242 at a pivot point (not visible in FIG.15B, and only the center plate pivot point portion 247 is visible inFIG. 15A). It is possible to pivot center cooking plate 246 about thepivot point to center cooking plate's closed position without displacingtop or bottom rings 242, 244.

Center cooking plate 246 defines top and bottom cooking cavities whentop ring 242, bottom ring 244, and center cooking plate 246 are all intheir respective closed positions, as illustrated in FIG. 15B. The topcooking cavity is formed by the top cooking surface (not illustrated) ofthe appliance, top ring 242, and center cooking plate 246 when the tophousing, top ring 242, and center cooking plate 246 are in theirrespective closed positions. The bottom cooking cavity is formed by thebottom cooking surface (not illustrated) of the appliance, bottom ring244, and center cooking plate 246 when the top housing, bottom ring 244,and center cooking plate 246 are in their respective closed positions.

Center cooking plate 246 comprises tab 248 that projects outward fromthe side edge of center cooking plate 246, such that tab 248 remainsoutside of the top and bottom rings 242, 244 when the center cookingplate is in its closed position (as illustrated in FIG. 15B). Agenerally horizontal slot 252 is defined in the top ring. The food itemsupporting/elevating mechanism comprises a support arm 250 affixed totab 248. Support arm 250 projects upward from tab 248 and then generallyhorizontally over the center of center cooking plate 246. Support arm250 projects through slot 252 when center cooking plate 246 is in itsclosed position (as illustrated in FIG. 15B). Support arm 250 does notproject through slot 252 and is completely outside of the top and bottomrings 242, 244 when center cooking plate 246 is in its open position. Ascenter cooking plate 246 moves from its closed position to its openposition, support arm 250 is slidably removed from slot 252, therebycausing any food item supported by support arm 250 to drop onto thebelow item below.

Support arm 250 is illustrated in FIGS. 15A-B as having two arms joinedat their distal ends by a connecting loop, and the arms have a circularcross-sectional shape. In alternative embodiments of the disclosure, thesupport arm may have many different structures and shapes. For example,the support arm may comprise more or fewer than two arms, and the armsmay have a different cross-sectional shape (e.g., square). In anotherexample, the support arm may comprise a single, elongated planar armhaving a rectangular cross-sectional shape.

Ring assembly 240 may comprises handles (not illustrated) affixed,respectively, to each of top ring 242 and bottom ring 244 to enable auser to independently move the top and bottom rings. Tab 248 mayfunction as a handle for center cooking plate 246 to enable a user topivotably move center cooking plate 246, and may have a heat-resistantcovering (not illustrated).

The operation of an appliance with ring assembly 240 is similar to thatof the appliance of FIGS. 1-9. A bottom layer of a food item is placedinto bottom ring 244 such that the bottom layer sits on the bottomcooking surface. Such a bottom layer may be, for example, one half of anEnglish muffin. One or more additional layers may be placed on top ofthe bottom food layer. After the desired layers are placed into thebottom ring 244, top ring 242 is lowered into its closed position andcenter cooking plate 246 is pivoted into its closed position (if notalready in that position). Additional food layers may then be placedinto top ring 242 such that the first additional food layer (such as anuncooked egg) sits directly on center cooking plate 246. One or moreadditional layers of food items may then be placed on top of the foodlayer that sits directly on center cooking plate 246. The top food layer(i.e., the last layer to be placed into the top ring, which may be, forexample, the other half of the English muffin) is placed onto supportarm 250.

After all of the desired layers are placed into top ring 242, the tophousing is lowered into its closed position. The appliance is maintainedin this fully closed position for a period of time to either toast thetop or bottom layers or, if necessary, to enable any internal food itemto be heated/cooked. After sufficient time has elapsed, center cookingplate 246 is pivoted to its open position such that center cooking plate246 is no longer separating the top cooking cavity from the bottomcooking cavity, thereby causing the layers in the top cooking cavity toseparate from center cooking plate 246 such that they stack onto anyfood items in the bottom cooking cavity. Pivoting center cooking plate246 to its open position also causes support arm 250 to exit top ring242 such that the top food layer drops onto the food layer immediatelybelow. Accordingly, the top food layers are assembled onto the foodlayers positioned in the bottom cooking cavity. Thus, a fully cookedsandwich is now assembled. Top housing, top ring 242, and bottom ring244 are now raised into their respective open/upper positions, such thatthe assembled sandwich may be readily removed from the appliance.

Referring now to FIGS. 16A-B, isometric views of a ring assembly of asandwich making appliance are illustrated, in accordance withalternative embodiments of the present disclosure. The ring assembly 300of FIGS. 16A-B is shown removed from its sandwich making appliance forclarity. FIG. 16A illustrates ring assembly 300 in a disassembled state,while FIG. 16B illustrates ring assembly 300 in an assembled state. Thesandwich making appliance that would comprise ring assembly 300 of FIGS.16A-B is similar to the sandwich making appliance of FIGS. 1-9 in thatit comprises a bottom housing and a top housing. The bottom housing hasa top surface that forms a bottom cooking surface of the appliance. Thetop housing has a bottom surface that forms a top cooking surface of theappliance. The top housing is movably attached to the bottom housing.The top housing is moveable between a closed position and an openposition. Ring assembly 300 is positioned between the top and bottomcooking surfaces when the top housing is in its closed position.

Ring assembly 300 of FIGS. 16A-B is similar to the ring assembly ofFIGS. 1-9. However, the ring assembly 300 of FIGS. 16A-B has a food itemsupporting/elevating mechanism that selectively supports a first fooditem above a second food item when the second food item is in the topcooking cavity. Ring assembly 300 comprises top ring 302, bottom ring304, and center cooking plate 306. Top ring 302 and bottom ring 304 aretogether selectively movably attached to the bottom housing (notillustrated) of the cooking appliance. This configuration enables topring 302 to be movable between a closed position and an open position.Similarly, bottom ring 304 is movable between a closed position and anopen position. The top ring may be moveable independently of the tophousing and independently of the bottom ring, and the bottom ring may bemovable independently of the top housing and independently of the topring.

Center cooking plate 306 is pivotably movable between a closed positionand an open position. In the closed position of center cooking plate306, when top ring 302 and bottom ring 304 are also in their respectiveclosed positions, center cooking plate 306 is positioned between the topand bottom rings 302, 304. The open position of center cooking plate 306is where center cooking plate 306 does not entirely overlap thecircumference of at least top ring 302 or bottom ring 304 or where someor all of center cooking plate 306 is not positioned between the top andbottom rings 302, 304. Center cooking plate 306 is movable between itsopen position and its closed position while the top and bottom rings arein their respective closed positions. Center cooking plate 306 ispivotably attached to top ring 302 at a pivot point (not visible in FIG.16B, and only the center plate pivot point portion 307 is visible inFIG. 16A). It is possible to pivot center cooking plate 306 about thepivot point to center cooking plate's closed position without displacingtop or bottom rings 302, 304.

Center cooking plate 306 defines top and bottom cooking cavities whentop ring 302, bottom ring 304, and center cooking plate 306 are all intheir respective closed positions, as illustrated in FIG. 16B. The topcooking cavity is formed by the top cooking surface (not illustrated) ofthe appliance, top ring 302, and center cooking plate 306 when the tophousing, top ring 302, and center cooking plate 306 are in theirrespective closed positions. The bottom cooking cavity is formed by thebottom cooking surface (not illustrated) of the appliance, bottom ring304, and center cooking plate 306 when the top housing, bottom ring 304,and center cooking plate 306 are in their respective closed positions.

A generally vertical slot 310 is defined in top ring 302, extending fromthe bottom edge of the top ring toward but not reaching the top edge oftop ring 302. The food item supporting/elevating mechanism a curved,generally vertical ridge 308 projecting upward from a top surface of thecenter cooking ring. Ridge 308 extends from the edge of center cookingplate 306 past a midpoint of center cooking plate 306. Ridge 308cooperatively passes through slot 310 as center cooking plate 306 movesbetween its open and closed positions. When center cooking plate 306 isin its closed position, as illustrated in FIG. 16B, ridge 308 is mostlyor entirely within top ring 302 and is able to support a food item aboveanother food item that is sitting on center cooking plate 306. As centercooking plate 306 is pivoted from the closed position to the openposition, ridge 308 slidably exits top ring 302 through slot 310,thereby causing any food item supported by ridge 308 to drop onto thebelow item below.

Ridge 308 is illustrated in FIGS. 16A-B as having a rectangularcross-sectional shape and slot 310 has a corresponding rectangularshape. In alternative embodiments of the disclosure, the ridge and slotmay have many different structures and shapes. For example, the ridgemay have a pointed top edge such that the ridge has a triangularcross-sectional shape, with the slot having a corresponding triangularshape. In another example, the ridge may have a large, flat top edgesuch that is has a “T” cross-sectional shape, with the slot having acorresponding “T” shape.

Ring assembly 300 comprises handles 312, 314 affixed, respectively, toeach of top ring 302 and bottom ring 304 to enable a user toindependently move the top and bottom rings. Handle 316 is affixed tocenter cooking plate 306 to enable a user to pivotably move centercooking plate 306.

The operation of an appliance with ring assembly 300 is similar to thatof the appliance of FIGS. 1-9. A bottom layer of a food item is placedinto bottom ring 304 such that the bottom layer sits on the bottomcooking surface. Such a bottom layer may be, for example, one half of anEnglish muffin. One or more additional layers may be placed on top ofthe bottom food layer. After the desired layers are placed into thebottom ring 304, top ring 302 is lowered into its closed position andcenter cooking plate 306 is pivoted into its closed position (if notalready in that position). Additional food layers may then be placedinto top ring 302 such that the first additional food layer (such as anuncooked egg) sits directly on center cooking plate 306. One or moreadditional layers of food items may then be placed on top of the foodlayer that sits directly on center cooking plate 306. The top food layer(i.e., the last layer to be placed into the top ring, which may be, forexample, the other half of the English muffin) is placed onto ridge 308.

After all of the desired layers are placed into top ring 302, the tophousing is lowered into its closed position. The appliance is maintainedin this fully closed position for a period of time to either toast thetop or bottom layers or, if necessary, to enable any internal food itemto be heated/cooked. After sufficient time has elapsed, center cookingplate 306 is pivoted to its open position such that center cooking plate306 is no longer separating the top cooking cavity from the bottomcooking cavity, thereby causing the layers in the top cooking cavity toseparate from center cooking plate 306 such that they stack onto anyfood items in the bottom cooking cavity. Pivoting center cooking plate306 to its open position also causes ridge 308 to exit top ring 302 suchthat the top food layer drops onto the food layer immediately below.Accordingly, the top food layers are assembled onto the food layerspositioned in the bottom cooking cavity. Thus, a fully cooked sandwichis now assembled. Top housing, top ring 302, and bottom ring 304 are nowraised into their respective open/upper positions, such that theassembled sandwich may be readily removed from the appliance.

Referring now to FIG. 17, an isometric view of a sandwich makingappliance is illustrated in accordance with alternative embodiments ofthe present disclosure. Sandwich making appliance 280 of FIG. 17 may useany suitable ring assembly, such as any of the ring assemblies of FIGS.1-12. The ring assembly is omitted from FIG. 17 for clarity. Sandwichmaking appliance 280 comprises bottom housing 284 and top housing 282.Bottom housing 284 has top surface 288 that forms a bottom cookingsurface of the appliance. Top housing 282 has bottom surface 286 thatforms a top cooking surface of the appliance. Top housing 282 is movablyattached to bottom housing 284. Top housing 282 is moveable between aclosed position (not illustrated) and an open position (illustrated inFIG. 17). The ring assembly is positioned between the top and bottomcooking surfaces when the top housing is in its closed position.Sandwich making appliance 280 comprises support arm 290 that ispivotably affixed to the top housing at pivot point 292. Support arm 290selectively supports a food item above another food item that is sittingon the center cooking plate.

The operation of appliance 280 of FIG. 17 is similar to that of theappliance of FIGS. 1-9. The main difference is that the top food item(typically a bread item) is placed between support arm 290 and topcooking surface 286 at any time prior to cooking, such that the top fooditem is retained by support arm 290. The other food items are placed inthe ring assembly as described above in relation to FIGS. 1-9. Tophousing 282 is lowered into its closed position. The appliance ismaintained in this fully closed position for a period of time to eithertoast the top or bottom layers or, if necessary, to enable any internalfood item to be heated/cooked. After sufficient time has elapsed, thecenter cooking plate is pivoted to its open position such that thecenter cooking plate is no longer separating the top cooking cavity fromthe bottom cooking cavity, thereby causing the layers in the top cookingcavity to separate from the center cooking plate such that they stackonto any food items in the bottom cooking cavity. A fully cookedsandwich is now assembled, except for the top food item. Top housing282, the top ring, and the bottom ring are now raised into theirrespective open/upper positions. The top food item is removed fromsupport arm 290 (which may require rotating support arm 290) and may beplaced on top of the other stacked food items. The assembled sandwichmay then be readily removed from the appliance.

Referring now to FIGS. 18A-B, isometric views of a sandwich makingappliance are illustrated in accordance with alternative embodiments ofthe present disclosure. Sandwich making appliance 360 comprises bottomhousing 364 and top housing 362. Bottom housing 364 has top surface 372that forms a bottom cooking surface of the appliance. Top housing 362has bottom surface 374 that forms a top cooking surface of theappliance. Top housing 362 is movably attached to bottom housing 364.Top housing 362 is moveable between a closed position (not illustrated)and an open position (illustrated in FIGS. 18A-B). A ring assembly ispositioned between the top and bottom cooking surfaces when the tophousing is in its closed position. Sandwich making appliance 360 ofFIGS. 18A-B may use any suitable ring assembly, such as any of the ringassemblies of FIGS. 1-12. The ring assembly illustrated in FIGS. 18A-Bis identical to and functions the same as the ring assembly of FIGS.1-9. The ring assembly of FIGS. 18A-B comprises top ring 366, bottomring 370, and center cooking plate 368.

Top housing 362 comprises ring 376 that forms a top housing cavity forholding a top food item. Sandwich making appliance 360 comprises supportarm 380 that is pivotably affixed to top housing 362. Support arm 380 isselectively movable between a first position (FIG. 18B) at least partlyblocking the opening of the top housing cavity to retain a food itemwithin ring 376 and a second position (FIG. 18A) not blocking theopening of the top housing cavity such that the food item is notretained within ring 376. As such, support arm 380 selectively retains afood item with ring 376 and above another food item that is sitting onthe center cooking plate.

The operation of appliance 360 of FIGS. 18A-B is similar to that of theappliance of FIGS. 1-9. The main difference is that the top food item(typically a bread item) is placed within ring 376 at any time prior tocooking, and then support arm 380 is pivoted into the position shown inFIG. 18B so that top the food item is retained within ring 376. Theother food items are placed in the ring assembly as described above inrelation to FIGS. 1-9. Top housing 362 is lowered into its closedposition. The appliance is maintained in this fully closed position fora period of time to either toast the top or bottom layers or, ifnecessary, to enable any internal food item to be heated/cooked. Aftersufficient time has elapsed, the center cooking plate is pivoted to itsopen position such that the center cooking plate is no longer separatingthe top cooking cavity from the bottom cooking cavity, thereby causingthe layers in the top cooking cavity to separate from the center cookingplate such that they stack onto any food items in the bottom cookingcavity. Support arm 380 is pivoted into the position shown in FIG. 18A,such that the top food item drops onto the item below. A fully cookedsandwich is now assembled, and may then be readily removed from theappliance.

Referring now to FIGS. 19A-B, isometric views of a sandwich makingappliance are illustrated in accordance with alternative embodiments ofthe present disclosure. FIG. 19C illustrates a component of the sandwichmaking appliance of FIGS. 19A-B. Sandwich making appliance 400 comprisesbottom housing 404 and top housing 402. Bottom housing 404 has topsurface 412 that forms a bottom cooking surface of the appliance. Tophousing 402 has bottom surface 414 that forms a top cooking surface ofthe appliance. Top housing 402 is movably attached to bottom housing404. Top housing 402 is moveable between a closed position (notillustrated) and an open position (illustrated in FIGS. 19A-B). A ringassembly is positioned between the top and bottom cooking surfaces whenthe top housing is in its closed position. Sandwich making appliance 400of FIGS. 19A-B may use any suitable ring assembly, such as any of thering assemblies of FIGS. 1-12. The ring assembly illustrated in FIGS.19A-B is identical to and functions the same as the ring assembly ofFIGS. 1-9. The ring assembly of FIGS. 19A-B comprises top ring 406,bottom ring 410, and center cooking plate 408.

Top housing 402 comprises ring 416 that forms a top housing cavity forholding a top food item. Sandwich making appliance 400 comprisesopposing movable jaws 418 a, 418 b positioned within the top housingcavity for retaining the first food item. First and second opposingmovable jaws 418 a, 418 b are selectively movable between a firstposition (illustrated in FIG. 19A) for receiving or discharging thefirst food item and a second position (illustrated in FIG. 19B) forretaining the first food item with the top housing cavity. Each opposingmovable jaw 418 a, 418 b protrudes through a curved slot 430 (only oneis visible in FIGS. 19A-B) in bottom surface 414. Moving handle 420 ofactivation lever 424 moves the jaws between the two positions.Activation lever 424 moves within slot 422 in top housing 402. FIG. 19Cillustrates one possible structure for selectively moving opposingmovable jaws 418 a, 418 b. As seen in FIG. 19C, first lever arm 426 ispivotably affixed at one end to first opposing movable jaw 418 a andpivotably affixed at the other end to activation lever 424. Similarly,second lever arm 428 is pivotably affixed at one end to second opposingmovable jaw 418 b and pivotably affixed at the other end to activationlever 424. Moving activation lever 424 to the right (as viewed in FIG.19C), such as by grasping handle 420, causes first and second lever arms426, 428 to move apart, which in turn causes first and second opposingmovable jaws 418 a, 418 b to move apart. Conversely, moving activationlever 424 to the left (as viewed in FIG. 19C), such as by graspinghandle 420, causes first and second lever arms 426, 428 to move towardeach other, which in turn causes first and second opposing movable jaws418 a, 418 b to move toward each other.

The operation of appliance 400 of FIGS. 19A-C is similar to that of theappliance of FIGS. 1-9. The main difference is that the top food item(typically a bread item) is placed within ring 416 while opposingmovable jaws 418 a, 418 b are apart. Handle 420 is then moved to moveopposing movable jaws 418 a, 418 b closer together so that top the fooditem is retained within ring 416. The other food items are placed in thering assembly as described above in relation to FIGS. 1-9. Top housing402 is lowered into its closed position. The appliance is maintained inthis fully closed position for a period of time to either toast the topor bottom layers or, if necessary, to enable any internal food item tobe heated/cooked. After sufficient time has elapsed, the center cookingplate is pivoted to its open position such that the center cooking plateis no longer separating the top cooking cavity from the bottom cookingcavity, thereby causing the layers in the top cooking cavity to separatefrom the center cooking plate such that they stack onto any food itemsin the bottom cooking cavity. Handle 420 is moved to move opposingmovable jaws 418 a, 418 b apart such that the top food item drops ontothe item below. A fully cooked sandwich is now assembled, and may thenbe readily removed from the appliance.

Referring now to FIGS. 20A-B, isometric views of a sandwich makingappliance are illustrated in accordance with alternative embodiments ofthe present disclosure. The sandwich making appliance 440 of FIGS. 20A-Bcomprises a bottom housing 444 and a top housing 442. Bottom housing 444has a top surface 446 that forms a bottom cooking surface of theappliance. Top housing 442 has a bottom surface 448 that forms a topcooking surface of the appliance. Top housing 442 is movably attached tobottom housing 444. Top housing 442 is moveable between a closedposition (illustrated in FIG. 20B) and an open position (illustrated inFIG. 20A). Ring assembly 460 is positioned between the top and bottomcooking surfaces when the top housing is in its closed position.

Ring assembly 460 of FIGS. 20A-B comprises top ring 450, bottom ring454, and center cooking plate 452. Top ring 450 and bottom ring 454 areattached to hinge 456 which comprises both a horizontal hinge componentand a vertical hinge pin. Top ring 450 and bottom ring 454 are attachedto the horizontal hinge component of hinge 456, such that top ring 450and bottom ring 454 are each selectively pivotably movable up and downbetween a vertically closed position (illustrated in FIG. 20A) and avertically open position (not illustrated). Top ring 450 and bottom ring454 selectively pivotably movable up and down independent of each other.

The horizontal hinge component of hinge 456 is attached to the verticalhinge component of hinge 456, such that top ring 450 and bottom ring 454are each selectively pivotably movable side-to-side between ahorizontally closed position (illustrated in FIG. 20A) and ahorizontally open position (illustrated in FIG. 20B).

Center cooking plate 452 is attached to hinge 458 such that centercooking plate 452 is selectively pivotably movable up and down between avertically closed position (illustrated in FIGS. 20A-B) and a verticallyopen position (not illustrated). Center cooking plate 452 is not movableside-to-side in the illustrated embodiment.

Top and bottom cooking cavities are formed when top ring 450 and bottomring 454 are in their respective horizontally and vertically closedpositions, and when center cooking plate 452 is in its vertically closedposition. The top cooking cavity is formed by top cooking surface 448,top ring 450, and center cooking plate 452. The bottom cooking cavity isformed by bottom cooking surface 446, bottom ring 454, and centercooking plate 452.

Although not illustrated, handles may be affixed to each of top ring450, bottom ring 454, and center cooking plate 452 to enable a user toindependently move these components.

The operation of appliance 440 with ring assembly 460 is similar to thatof the appliance of FIGS. 1-9 except for the steps to remove the cookedsandwich. A bottom layer of a food item is placed into bottom ring 454(when bottom ring 454 is in its horizontally and vertically closedposition) such that the bottom layer sits on the bottom cooking surface.Such a bottom layer may be, for example, one half of an English muffin.One or more additional layers may be placed on top of the bottom foodlayer. After the desired layers are placed into the bottom ring 454,center cooking plate 452 is lowered into its closed position and topring 450 is positioned in its horizontally and vertically closedposition. Additional food layers may then be placed into top ring 450such that the first additional food layer (such as an uncooked egg) sitsdirectly on center cooking plate 452. One or more additional layers offood items may then be placed on top of the food layer that sitsdirectly on center cooking plate 452. The top layer (i.e., the lastlayer to be placed into the top ring) may be, for example, the otherhalf of the English muffin.

After all of the desired layers are placed into top ring 450, the tophousing is lowered into its closed position. The appliance is maintainedin this fully closed position for a period of time to either toast thetop or bottom layers or, if necessary, to enable any internal food itemto be heated/cooked. After sufficient time has elapsed, top ring 450 andbottom ring 454 are pivoted into their respective horizontally openpositions (illustrated in FIG. 20B). Pivoting top ring 450 and bottomring 454 into their respective horizontally open positions causes thelayers in the top cooking cavity to separate from center cooking plate452 and causes all food layers to be pulled out of the appliance. Whentop ring 450 and bottom ring 454 are in their respective horizontallyopen positions, the layers fall out of the top and bottom rings and ontoa surface (e.g., a plate) below the top and bottom rings, resulting in afully cooked and assembled sandwich on the surface.

Referring now to FIGS. 21-27, isometric views of a sandwich makingappliance are illustrated in accordance with alternative embodiments ofthe present disclosure. The sandwich making appliance 500 of FIGS. 21-27comprises a bottom housing 504 and a top housing 502. Bottom housing 504has a top surface 506 that forms a bottom cooking surface of theappliance. Top housing 502 has a bottom surface 508 that forms a topcooking surface of the appliance. Unlike the embodiments of the presentdisclosure described above, top surface 506 and bottom surface 508 inthe embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 21-27 are not directly heated. Thatis, there is no heating element in the bottom housing 504 or the tophousing 502 to directly apply heat to the top surface 506 or the bottomsurface 504 (although the top surface 506 and/or the bottom surface 504may be indirectly heated by the heated plates described below).Optionally, however, heating elements could be provided in the bottomhousing 504 and/or the top housing 502 to directly heat the top surface506 and/or the bottom surface 504, respectively, in addition to thepossible indirect heating provided by the heated plates describedbelow). Top housing 502 is movably attached to bottom housing 504. Tophousing 502 is selectively moveable between a down or closed position(illustrated in FIGS. 24 and 25) and an up or open position (illustratedin FIGS. 21-23 and 26).

A cooking assembly portion of appliance 500 comprises a top heated plate510, a bottom heated plate 514, and a center ring 512 therebetween. Topheated plate 510 is typically circular (although other shapes may beused) and substantially planar and typically comprises (for at least itstop and bottom surfaces) a conductive metal with a non-stick coating.Bottom heated plate 514 is typically circular (although other shapes maybe used) and substantially planar and typically comprises (for at leastits top and bottom surfaces) a conductive metal with a non-stickcoating. Center ring 512 is typically cylindrical (although other shapesmay be used) and typically comprises (for at least its inner wall) aconductive metal with a non-stick coating. The top heated plate 510 maycomprise a heating element embedded within it (such as heating element528 in FIG. 27), or may comprise a heating element attached to its topand/or bottom surface (such a surface-attached heating element maycomprise, for example, a thin film heating element). Similarly, thebottom heated plate 514 may comprise a heating element embedded withinit (such as heating element 530 in FIG. 27), or may comprise a heatingelement attached to its top and/or bottom surface (such asurface-attached heating element may comprise, for example, a thin filmheating element). Whether embedded therein or attached thereto, theheating elements for the top and bottom heated plates heat up when poweris applied thereto, which in turn heats up the top and bottom heatedplates (typically, the top and bottom surfaces of each of the top andbottom heated plates heats up). The heating of the top and bottomsurfaces heats the various layers of the food item, as described furtherbelow. Such heating elements would, of course, have electricalconnections to provide electrical power when desired. Such electricalconnections are conventional and are omitted from the figures forsimplicity.

The top heated plate 510 is selectively movable between (i) an openposition (illustrated in FIGS. 22, 25, and 26) and (ii) a closedposition (illustrated in FIGS. 21, 23, and 24). When the top heatedplate 510 is in its closed position, a top cooking cavity is selectivelyformed by the top heated plate 510 and the bottom surface 508 of the tophousing 502 when the top housing 502 is in its closed position;

The bottom heated plate 514 is selectively movable between (i) an openposition (illustrated in FIGS. 25 and 26) and (ii) a closed position(illustrated in FIGS. 21-24). When the bottom heated plate 514 is in itsclosed position, a bottom cooking cavity is selectively formed by thetop surface 506 of the bottom housing 504 and the bottom heated plate514. A center cooking cavity is selectively formed by the top heatedplate 510, the center ring 512, and the bottom heated plate 514 when thetop and bottom heated plates 510, 514 are in their respective closedpositions.

The cooking assembly is selectively fully positioned between the topsurface 506 of the bottom housing 504 and the bottom surface 508 of thetop housing 502 when the top housing 502 is in its down or closedposition and when the top and bottom heated plates 510, 514 are in theirrespective closed positions.

Appliance 500 further comprises a hinge 518. As seen in FIGS. 21-26, thetop housing 502 is hingedly attached to the bottom housing 504 via hinge518. Also, the center ring 512 is hingedly attached to the bottomhousing 504 via hinge 518. Specifically, flange 517 of center ring 512is affixed to hinge portion 515. Flange 519 of the top heated plate 510and flange 521 of the bottom heated plate 514 are pivotably attached toflange 517 of the center ring 512 and to hinge portion 515 at pivotpoint 516. The structure of the top heated plate 510, the center ring512, and the bottom heated plate 514, and the flanges thereof, are mostclearly illustrated in FIG. 27 in which these components are illustratedremoved from the appliance 500. The attachment of the center ring 512 tothe bottom housing 504 via hinge 518 coupled with the attachment of thetop heated plate 510 and the bottom heated plate 514 to flange 517 ofthe center ring 512 enable the entire cooking assembly to be selectivelymovable between a down or closed position (illustrated in FIGS. 22, 23,24 and 25) and an up or open position (illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 26).In this regard, the top housing 502 and the cooking assembly may beconsidered to be movably attached to the hinge 518 and selectivelymovably attached to the bottom housing 504. In alternative embodimentsof the present disclosure, the cooking assembly may be selectivelyremovably attached to the bottom housing 504 using a hinge mechanismthat enables selective attachment and removal of the cooking assembly,such as the structure illustrated in FIG. 8.

It is the above-described pivotable attachment of the top heated plate510 and the bottom heated plate to the center ring 512 that enables thetop heated plate 510 to selectively pivot between its open position(illustrated in FIGS. 22, 25, and 26) and its closed position(illustrated in FIGS. 21, 23, and 24) and that enables the bottom heatedplate 514 to selectively pivot between its open position (illustrated inFIGS. 25 and 26) and its closed position (illustrated in FIGS. 21-24).

Appliance 500 further comprises a circular ridge 520 projecting downwardfrom the bottom surface 508 of the top housing 502. This circular ridge520 also forms part of the top cooking cavity (along with the topcooking plate 510 and the bottom surface 508 of the top housing 502)when the top housing 502 is in its down or closed position and the topcooking plate 510 is in its closed position.

Appliance 500 further comprises a semi-circular ridge 526 projectingupward from the top surface 506 of the bottom housing 504 and acorresponding semi-circular ridge 524 projecting downward from a bottomsurface of the bottom heated plate 514. The semi-circular ridge 526projecting upward from the top surface 506 of the bottom housing 502 andthe semi-circular ridge 524 projecting downward from the bottom surfaceof the bottom heated plate 514 cooperate to form a circular ring whenthe cooking assembly is in its down or closed position and the bottomheated plate 514 is in its closed position. In this regard, the bottomcooking cavity is formed by the circular ring (formed by semi-circularridge 524 and semi-circular ridge 526), the top surface 506 of thebottom housing 502, and the bottom heated plate 514 when the cookingassembly is in its closed position and the bottom heated plate 514 is inits closed position.

In alternative embodiments of the disclosure (not illustrated), insteadof two semi-circular ridges, a unitary circular ridge may project upwardfrom the top surface 506 of the bottom housing 504 such that the bottomcooking cavity is formed by the circular ring projecting upward from thetop surface 506 of the bottom housing 502, the top surface 506 of thebottom housing 504, and the bottom heated plate 514 when the cookingassembly is in its closed position and the bottom heated plate 514 is inits closed position.

Appliance 500 may comprise a plurality of handles 528 for selectivelymoving various components of appliance 500 between positions. Forexample, a handle may be affixed to top housing 502 to enable a user toselectively move top housing 502 between its up or open position and itsdown or closed position. Similarly, a handle may be affixed to each oftop heated plate 510 and bottom heated plate 514 to enable a user toindependently move each heated plate between its respective open andclosed positions. Also, a handle may be affixed to center ring 512 toenable a user to selectively move the cooking assembly between its downor closed position and its up or open position.

The operation of appliance 500 will now be described with reference toFIGS. 21-26. With the top housing 502 and the cooking assembly in theirup or open positions, as illustrated in FIG. 21, a bottom layer of afood item is placed onto the top surface 506 of the bottom housing 504.Such a bottom layer may be, for example, one half of an English muffin.One or more additional layers may be placed on top of the bottom foodlayer. After the desired layers are placed onto the top surface 506, thecooking assembly is lowered into its down or closed position and the topcooking plate 510 is pivoted to its open position, as illustrated inFIG. 22. This arrangement of the cooking assembly encloses the bottomlayer of a food item in the bottom cooking cavity and enables access tothe center cooking cavity. A middle layer of a food item is placed ontothe bottom heated plate 514. The middle layer of a food item may be, forexample, a raw egg. The center ring 512 helps contain the raw egg in thecenter cooking cavity and (during operation of the appliance) the bottomheated plate 514 directly heats the raw egg to cook the egg. One or moreadditional layers may be placed on top of the center food layer. The topheated plate 510 is then pivoted into its closed position, asillustrated in FIG. 23, which encloses the middle layer of a food itemin the center cooking cavity.

A top layer of a food item is placed onto the top heated plate 510. Sucha top layer may be, for example, the other half of the English muffin.After the top layer of the food item is in place on the top heated plate510, the top housing 502 is lowered into its down or closed position, asillustrated in FIG. 24, thereby enclosing the top layer in the topcooking cavity.

Power is applied to the appliance 500, such as by plugging theappliance's power cord (not illustrated) into an electrical outletand/or by activating a power or on/off switch (not illustrated), therebyheating the top and bottom heated plates. After power is applied to theappliance 500, the appliance 500 is maintained in this fully closedposition for a period of time to either toast the top or bottom layersor, if necessary, to enable any internal food item to be heated/cooked.After sufficient time has elapsed, the bottom heated plate 514 and thetop heated plate 510 are both pivoted to their respective openpositions, as illustrated in FIG. 25. The order in which the heatedplates are pivoted to their respective open positions is generallyimmaterial, and they may be pivoted simultaneously. Pivoting the topheated plate 510 into its open position causes the layer(s) in the topcooking cavity to separate from the top heated plate 510 and stack ontoany food items in the center cooking cavity. Pivoting the bottom heatedplate 514 into its open position causes the layer(s) in the centercooking cavity to separate from the bottom heated plate 514 and stackonto any food items in the bottom cooking cavity. When both heatedplates have been pivoted to their respective open positions, a fullycooked sandwich is assembled. The cooking assembly is raised into itsrespective up or open position, as illustrated in FIG. 26, such that theassembled sandwich may be readily removed from the appliance.

Referring now to FIG. 28, an isometric view of a sandwich makingappliance is illustrated in accordance with alternative embodiments ofthe present disclosure. The sandwich making appliance 600 of FIG. 28 isvery similar to the sandwich making appliance of FIGS. 1-9 in that itcomprises a bottom housing 604 and a top housing 602. The bottom housing604 has a top surface 608 that forms a bottom cooking surface of theappliance. The top housing 602 has a bottom surface (not visible) thatforms a top cooking surface of the appliance. The top housing 602 ismovably attached to the bottom housing 604. The top housing 602 ismoveable between a closed position and an open position. A ring assemblycomprises a top ring 610, a bottom ring 612, and a center cooking plate614. The ring assembly is positioned between the top and bottom cookingsurfaces when the top housing is in its closed position. The structureand function of the ring assembly of sandwich making appliance 600 isidentical to that of the sandwich making appliance of FIGS. 1-9.

The sandwich making appliance 600 of FIG. 28 differs from the sandwichmaking appliance of FIGS. 1-9 in that an uppermost cooking cavity 620 isdefined in the top housing. The uppermost cooking cavity 620 may be usedto cook or heat a top food layer, instead of cooking or heating the topfood layer in the top cooking cavity. The top layer may be, for example,the top half of the English muffin. The uppermost cooking cavity 620comprises a floor 624 that forms an uppermost cooking surface. The floor624 may comprise a plurality of raised ridges 622. The uppermost cookingcavity 620 may comprise a side wall 626. The uppermost cooking cavity620 of the sandwich making appliance 600 of FIG. 28 has an open top. Inan alternative embodiment, not illustrated, the sandwich makingappliance may comprise a hinged or pivoting lid to selectively close offthe open top of the uppermost cooking cavity. The uppermost cookingsurface may be heated by one or more heating elements in the top housing602 (which may or may not be the same heating element(s) that heats thetop cooking surface. The operation of the sandwich making appliance 600of FIG. 28 is very similar to the operation of the sandwich makingappliance of FIGS. 1-9, except that the uppermost cooking cavity 620 isused to cook or heat a top food layer, instead of cooking or heating thetop food layer in the top cooking cavity of the sandwich makingappliance of FIGS. 1-9. When the food item is done cooking, the top foodlayer needs to be manually removed from the uppermost cooking cavity andplaced onto the other layers.

Referring now to FIGS. 29-30, isometric views of a sandwich makingappliance are illustrated in accordance with alternative embodiments ofthe present disclosure. The sandwich making appliance 640 of FIGS. 29-30comprises a housing 642 having a plurality of cavities defined therein.The cavities are generally horizontal. In the illustrated embodiment,there are three such cavities—a top cavity 644, a middle cavity 646, anda bottom cavity 648. The sandwich making appliance 640 further comprisesa plurality of cooking vessels. In the illustrated embodiment, there arethree such cooking vessels—top cooking vessel 650, a middle cookingvessel 652, and a bottom cooking vessel 654. Each cooking vessel isselectively insertable into and removable from a correspondinghorizontal cavity. As illustrated, each cooking vessel comprises afloor, a perimeter wall, and a handle. The floor is typicallysubstantially planar and typically comprises a conductive metal with anon-stick coating. The cooking vessels are illustrated as beinggenerally round, but any other suitable shape may be used. The cookingvessels may all be identical, such that any vessel may be inserted intoany cavity. Alternatively, the cooking vessels may all have uniqueshapes and/or unique tabs or keys such that each vessel may only beinserted into its respective cavity.

The sandwich making appliance 640 further comprises one or more heatingelements within the housing 642 for heating one or more of the cookingvessels when the cooking vessels are inserted into the housing.

Appliance 640 comprises display/control panel 656. Display/control panel656 may comprise any desired combination of user input elements (e.g.,buttons, switches, knobs, dials, etc.) to enable a user to controloperation of appliance 640 and/or display elements (e.g., lights,alphanumeric displays, etc.) to provide information to a user. Forexample, display/control panel 656 may comprise a “power” light and a“preheat” light. As another example, display/control panel 656 maycomprise any suitable means for turning the appliance on and off (e.g.,a simple on/off switch) and/or for controlling the cooking time (e.g., atimed on/off switch). Alternatively, on/off switches and the like may beomitted and the appliance may be turned on and off simply by plugging inand unplugging the appliance from a power source. Further,display/control panel 656 may comprise a timer (electromechanical ordigital) that simply times the cooking of the food item but does notcontrol power to the appliance.

In operation, one or more layers of a food item may be placed into eachof the vessels. The vessels are then inserted into respective cavities,and the appliance is activated (such as via a button or switch ondisplay/control panel 656). The appliance remains activated and thevessels are maintained in the cavities for a period of time to eithertoast the top or bottom layers or, if necessary, to enable any internalfood item to be heated/cooked. After sufficient time has elapsed, thevessels are removed from the cavities. The food items are removed fromthe vessels and assembled into the desired completed food item.

Referring now to FIGS. 31-33, isometric views of a sandwich makingappliance are illustrated in accordance with alternative embodiments ofthe present disclosure. The sandwich making appliance 700 of FIGS. 31-33is similar to the sandwich making appliance of FIGS. 1-9 in that itcomprises a bottom housing 704 and a top housing 702. The bottom housing704 has a top surface 708 that forms a bottom cooking surface of theappliance. The top housing 702 has a bottom surface 706 that forms a topcooking surface of the appliance. The top housing 702 is movablyattached to the bottom housing 704. The top housing 702 is moveablebetween a closed position and an open position. A ring assembly ispositioned between the top and bottom cooking surfaces when the tophousing is in its closed position.

The ring assembly of the sandwich making appliance 700 differs from thering assembly of the sandwich making appliance of FIGS. 1-9 in that thering assembly of the sandwich making appliance 700 forms three cookingcavities rather than two. Specifically, the ring assembly of thesandwich making appliance 700 comprises a top ring 710, a middle ring712, a bottom ring 714, a top cooking plate 716, and a bottom cookingplate 718. The top cooking plate 716 is movable between (i) a closedposition in which a space defined by the top ring 710 and the middlering 712 is divided into top and middle cooking cavities and (ii) anopen position. The bottom cooking plate 718 is movable between (i) aclosed position in which a space defined by the middle ring 712 and thebottom ring 714 is divided into middle and bottom cooking cavities and(ii) an open position. The top cooking cavity is formed by the topcooking surface 706, the top ring 710, and the top cooking plate 716when the top housing 702 and the top cooking plate 716 are in theirrespective closed positions. The middle cooking cavity is formed by thetop cooking plate 716, the middle ring 712, and the bottom cooking plate718 when the top housing 702 and the top and bottom cooking plates 716,718 are in their respective closed positions. The bottom cooking cavityis formed by the bottom cooking surface 708, the bottom ring 714, andthe bottom cooking plate 718 when the top housing 702 and the bottomcooking plate 718 are in their respective closed positions.

In the embodiment of the disclosure illustrated in FIGS. 31-33, therings 710, 712, 714 do not move independently of each other, but rathermove as a unit. The ring assembly is selectively hingedly attached tothe bottom housing 704 to enable the ring assembly to move between aclosed position (illustrated in FIGS. 31 and 32) and an open position(illustrated in FIG. 33).

In alternative embodiments of the disclosure (not illustrated), therings 710, 712, 714 are able to move up down and independently of eachother and of the top housing 702. In such an embodiment, the top ring710 is selectively hingedly attached to the bottom housing to enable thetop ring to move between a closed position and an open position, themiddle ring 712 is selectively hingedly attached to the bottom housingto enable the middle ring to move between a closed position and an openposition, and the bottom ring 714 is selectively hingedly attached tothe bottom housing to enable the bottom ring to move between a closedposition and an open position.

The top cooking plate 716 may be pivotably attached to either the topring 710 or the middle ring 712 or both. In the embodiment illustratedin FIGS. 31-33, the top cooking plate 716 is pivotably attached to thetop ring 710. Similarly, the bottom cooking plate 718 may be pivotablyattached to either the middle ring 712 or the bottom ring 714 or both.In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 31-33, the bottom cooking plate718 is pivotably attached to the middle ring 712.

The structure of the top and bottom cooking plates 716, 718 and theirconnection to and interaction with the rings may be similar to that ofthe center cooking plate of the sandwich making appliance of FIGS. 1-9.For example, when the top cooking plate 716 is in its open position, atleast a portion of the top cooking plate 716 remains between the top andmiddle rings 710, 712 while the top and middle rings are in theirrespective closed positions. Similarly, when the bottom cooking plate718 is in its open position, at least a portion of the bottom cookingplate 718 remains between the middle and bottom rings 712, 714 while themiddle and bottom rings are in their respective closed positions.However, this may not be necessary if the rings do not moveindependently of each other.

The ring assembly may be removably attached to the bottom housing at ahinge point, using a hinge point, hinge pins, and different sizedopposing channels like that of the sandwich making appliance of FIGS.1-9.

The sandwich making appliance 700 may comprise one or more heatingelements in either or both of the top housing 702 and the bottom housing704 to heat either of both of the top cooking surface 706 and the bottomcooking surface 708. The heating element may be similar to the heatingelement illustrated in FIG. 7. When the top housing 702 is in a closedposition, contact is maintained between (i) the bottom cooking surface708 and the bottom ring 714, (ii) the bottom ring 714 and the bottomcooking plate 718, (iii) the bottom cooking plate 718 and the middlering 712, (iv) the middle ring 712 and the top cooking plate 716, (v)the top cooking plate 716 and the top ring 710, and (vi) the top ring710 and the top cooking surface 706. This contact helps to ensure heattransfer from the heating elements in the top and/or bottom housing(s)to all of the components of the ring assembly.

The sandwich making appliance 700 is shown having a handle affixed tothe top housing 702, a handle affixed to each of the top ring 710, themiddle ring 712, and the bottom ring 714, and a handle affixed to eachof the top cooking plate 716 and the bottom cooking plate 718. Thehandle affixed to the top housing 702 enables a user to raise and lowerthe top housing. The handles affixed to the top cooking plate 716 andthe bottom cooking plate 718 enable a user to slide or pivot the cookingplates. The handles affixed to the top ring 710, the middle ring 712,and the bottom ring 714 enable a user to raise and lower the rings. Ifthe rings do not move independently of each other (as discussed above),then it may only be necessary to affix a handle to one of the top ring710, the middle ring 712, or the bottom ring 714.

The operation of sandwich making appliance 700 will be described inrelation to the embodiment in which the rings do not move independentlyof each other. When the appliance is preheated, top housing 702 israised to its open position, top and bottom cooking plates 716, 718 arepivoted to their open positions, and the rings are lowered to theirclosed or down position, resulting in the configuration which isillustrated in FIG. 31. A bottom layer of the food item is placed intobottom ring 714 such that the bottom layer sits on bottom cookingsurface 708. Such a bottom layer may be, for example, one half of anEnglish muffin. One or more additional layers may be placed on top ofthe bottom food layer. After the desired layers are placed into thebottom ring 714, the bottom cooking plate 718 is pivoted to its closedposition. With the bottom cooking plate in its closed position, thebottom cooking cavity is now defined by bottom cooking surface 708, thebottom ring 714, and bottom cooking plate 718. Once bottom cooking plate718 is in the closed position, additional food layers may then be placedinto middle ring 712 such that the first additional food layer sitsdirectly on the bottom cooking plate 718. One or more additional layersof food items may then be placed on top of the food layer that sitsdirectly on bottom cooking plate 718.

After the desired layers are placed into the middle ring 712, the topcooking plate 716 is pivoted to its closed position. With the topcooking plate in its closed position, the middle cooking cavity is nowdefined by top cooking plate 716, the middle ring 712, and bottomcooking plate 718. Once the top cooking plate 716 is in the closedposition, additional food layers may then be placed into the top ring710 such that the first additional food layer sits directly on the topcooking plate 716. One or more additional layers of food items may thenbe placed on top of the food layer that sits directly on the top cookingplate 716. Typically, the only food layer placed into the top ring isthe bread product that forms the top of the sandwich (for example, theother half of the English muffin).

After all of the desired layers are placed into the top ring 710, thetop housing 702 is lowered into its closed position, as illustrated inFIG. 32. With the top housing 702 in its closed position, the topcooking cavity is now completely defined by the top cooking surface 706,the top ring 710, and the top cooking plate 716. Appliance 700 ismaintained in this fully closed position while being activated for aperiod of time to either toast the top or bottom layers or, ifnecessary, to enable any internal food item to be heated/cooked.

After sufficient time has elapsed, the top and bottom cooking plates716, 718 are moved to their open positions. Moving the top cooking plate716 from its closed position to its open position causes the layers inthe top cooking cavity to separate from the top cooking plate 716 suchthat they stack onto any food items in the middle cooking cavity.Similarly, moving the bottom cooking plate 718 from its closed positionto its open position causes the layers in the middle cooking cavity toseparate from the bottom cooking plate 718 such that they stack onto anyfood items in the bottom cooking cavity. Accordingly, the top foodlayers are assembled onto the food layers positioned in the bottomcooking cavity. Thus, a fully cooked sandwich is now assembled. The ringassembly is now raised into its open/upper position, as illustrated inFIG. 33, such that the assembled sandwich may be readily removed fromappliance 700.

Referring now to FIGS. 34 and 35, an isometric view and an exploded viewof a sandwich making appliance are illustrated in accordance withalternative embodiments of the present disclosure. The sandwich makingappliance 740 of FIGS. 34 and 35 is similar to the sandwich makingappliance of FIGS. 31-33 in that it comprises a bottom housing 744 and atop housing 742. The bottom housing 744 has a top surface 748 that formsa bottom cooking surface of the appliance. The top housing 742 has abottom surface (not illustrated) that forms a top cooking surface of theappliance. The top housing 742 is movably attached to the bottom housing744. The top housing 742 is moveable between a closed position and anopen position. A ring assembly is positioned between the top and bottomcooking surfaces when the top housing is in its closed position.

The ring assembly of the sandwich making appliance 740 also forms threecooking cavities. Specifically, the ring assembly of the sandwich makingappliance 740 comprises a top ring 750, a middle ring 752, a bottom ring754, a top cooking plate 756, and a bottom cooking plate 758. The topcooking plate 756 is movable between (i) a closed position in which aspace defined by the top ring 750 and the middle ring 752 is dividedinto top and middle cooking cavities and (ii) an open position. Thebottom cooking plate 758 is movable between (i) a closed position inwhich a space defined by the middle ring 752 and the bottom ring 754 isdivided into middle and bottom cooking cavities and (ii) an openposition. The top cooking cavity is formed by the top cooking surface,the top ring 750, and the top cooking plate 756 when the top housing 742and the top cooking plate 756 are in their respective closed positions.The middle cooking cavity is formed by the top cooking plate 756, themiddle ring 752, and the bottom cooking plate 758 when the top housing742 and the top and bottom cooking plates 756, 758 are in theirrespective closed positions. The bottom cooking cavity is formed by thebottom cooking surface 748, the bottom ring 754, and the bottom cookingplate 758 when the top housing 742 and the bottom cooking plate 758 arein their respective closed positions.

In the embodiment of the disclosure illustrated in FIGS. 34 and 35, therings 750, 752, 754 are able to move independently of each other, aseach ring and the top housing are independently hinged to the elongatedhinge 760. In other respects, the structure and operation of the ringsand cooking plates is similar to that of the embodiment of FIGS. 31-33.

In the embodiment of the disclosure illustrated in FIGS. 34 and 35, thebottom cooking plate 758 comprises a heated cooking plate. The bottomcooking plate has a heating element embedded therein or attached thereto(the heating element is not illustrated in FIG. 34 or 35, but may besimilar to the heating element illustrated in FIG. 27). Electric poweris provided to the heating element through an electrified hinge. Theelectrified hinge comprises a male portion 764 that is hingedly affixedto the elongated hinge 760 and a female portion 762 that is affixed tothe bottom cooking plate 758. The male and female portions selectivelyengage and disengage when the bottom cooking plate 758 is pivoted,respectively, between its closed and open positions. The electricalsupply connection to the male portion 764 is omitted for simplicity.

In the embodiment of the disclosure illustrated in FIGS. 34 and 35, afluid-diverting channel 760 is defined into the top surface of thebottom cooking plate 758. Such a channel diverts grease or other liquidsthat might otherwise accumulate on the bottom cooking plate while thefood item is being cooked. Fluid-draining holes 766, 768, 770 aredefined, respectively, in the female portion of the electrified hinge762, the hinge 768 of the bottom ring 754, and the bottom cookingsurface 748. The fluid-draining holes are vertically aligned such thatfluid from the channel flows through the hole 766 in the female portionof the electrified hinge 762, then through the hole 768 in the hinge 768of the bottom ring 754, then through the hole 770 in the bottom cookingsurface 748, and into a fluid catch basin 772. The fluid catch basin 772is selectively removable for emptying.

The operation of the sandwich making appliance 740 of FIGS. 34 and 35 issimilar to that of the appliance of FIGS. 1-9. A bottom layer of a fooditem is placed into the bottom ring 754 such that the bottom layer sitson the bottom cooking surface. Such a bottom layer may be, for example,one half of an English muffin. One or more additional layers may beplaced on top of the bottom food layer. After the desired layers areplaced into the bottom ring 754, the middle ring 752 is lowered into itsclosed position and the bottom cooking plate 758 is pivoted to itsclosed position. Additional food layers may then be placed into themiddle ring 752 such that the first additional food layer (such as anuncooked egg) sits directly on the bottom cooking plate 758. One or moreadditional layers of food items may then be placed on top of the foodlayer that sits directly on the bottom cooking plate 758. After thedesired layers are placed into the middle ring 752, the top ring 750 islowered into its closed position and the top cooking plate 756 ispivoted to its closed position. Additional food layers may then beplaced into the top ring 750 such that the first additional food layer(such as an uncooked egg) sits directly on the top cooking plate 756.One or more additional layers of food items may then be placed on top ofthe food layer that sits directly on the top cooking plate 756. The toplayer (i.e., the last layer to be placed into the top ring) may be, forexample, the other half of the English muffin.

After all of the desired layers are placed into top ring 750, the tophousing 742 is lowered into its closed position. The appliance isactivated and is maintained in this fully closed position for a periodof time to either toast the top or bottom layers or, if necessary, toenable any internal food item to be heated/cooked. After sufficient timehas elapsed, top and bottom cooking plates 756, 758 are moved to theiropen positions. Moving the top cooking plate 756 from its closedposition to its open position causes the layers in the top cookingcavity to separate from top cooking plate 756 such that they stack ontoany food items in the middle cooking cavity. Similarly, moving thebottom cooking plate 758 from its closed position to its open positioncauses the layers in the middle cooking cavity to separate from thebottom cooking plate 758 such that they stack onto any food items in thebottom cooking cavity. Accordingly, the top food layers are assembledonto the food layers positioned in the bottom cooking cavity. Thus, afully cooked sandwich is now assembled. The rings are now all raisedinto their open/upper position, such that the assembled sandwich may bereadily removed from appliance 740.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure.As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the disclosure in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the disclosure and the practical application, and toenable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosurefor various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

That which is claimed:
 1. An appliance for cooking a food item, theappliance comprising: a bottom housing having a top surface, the topsurface forming a bottom cooking surface of the appliance, the bottomhousing having a resistive heating element therein; a top housing havinga bottom surface, the bottom surface forming a top cooking surface ofthe appliance, the top housing being hingedly attached to the bottomhousing, the top housing moveable between a closed position and an openposition, the top housing having a resistive heating element therein; apower cord connected at a first end to the bottom housing and at asecond end to the top housing, the power cord routing power between thebottom housing and the top housing; and a cooking assembly selectivelypositioned between the top and bottom cooking surfaces when the tophousing is in its closed position, the cooking assembly comprising a topcooking assembly portion, a bottom cooking assembly portion, and acooking plate therebetween, the top cooking assembly portion beingstackable on the bottom cooking assembly portion and the cookingassembly conductively heated via at least one of the top cooking surfaceand the bottom cooking surface; wherein a top cooking cavity is formedwithin the top cooking assembly portion when the cooking assembly isselectively positioned between the top and bottom cooking surfaces andwhen the top housing is in its closed position; and wherein a bottomcooking cavity is formed within the bottom cooking assembly portion whenthe cooking assembly is selectively positioned between the top andbottom cooking surfaces.
 2. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the bottomcooking assembly portion comprises guides to help maintain the topcooking assembly portion and the bottom cooking assembly portion in astacked configuration.
 3. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the cookingassembly sits upon the bottom cooking surface when the appliance is inuse but is otherwise unattached to the appliance.
 4. An appliance forcooking a food item, the appliance comprising: a bottom housing having atop surface, the top surface forming a bottom cooking surface of theappliance, the bottom housing having a resistive heating elementtherein; a top housing having a bottom surface, the bottom surfaceforming a top cooking surface of the appliance, the top housing beingmovably hingedly attached to the bottom housing, the top housingmoveable between a closed position and an open position, the top housinghaving a resistive heating element therein; a power cord connected at afirst end to the bottom housing and at a second end to the top housing,the power cord routing power between the bottom housing and the tophousing; a cooking assembly selectively positioned between the top andbottom cooking surfaces when the top housing is in its closed position,the cooking assembly comprising a cooking plate dividing a space withinthe cooking assembly into top and bottom cooking cavities; and thecooking assembly conductively heated via at least one of the bottomcooking surface and the top cooking surface.
 5. The appliance of claim4, wherein the cooking assembly further comprises a top cooking assemblyportion and a bottom cooking assembly portion; wherein the cooking plateis selectively positioned between the top and bottom cooking assemblyportions; wherein the top cooking cavity is formed within the topcooking assembly portion; and wherein the bottom cooking cavity isformed within the bottom cooking assembly portion.
 6. The appliance ofclaim 4, wherein the top cooking assembly portion is stackable on thebottom cooking assembly portion.
 7. The appliance of claim 4, whereinthe top cooking assembly portion or the bottom cooking assembly portioncomprise guides to help maintain the top cooking assembly portion andthe bottom cooking assembly portion in a stacked configuration.
 8. Theappliance of claim 4, wherein the cooking assembly sits upon the bottomcooking surface when the appliance is in use but is otherwise unattachedto the appliance.